A whole host of fresh ideas have bubbled to the surface with the launching of Creation Fest this year.
A $15,000 grant from the Rotorua Trust is helping to support the transition from the Rotorua Creative Art Trust’s Wearable Creationz to CreationFest and a widening of the arts aspects of the event.
The transition is being managed in association with the team behind the iconic Blue Baths, which is now partnering the arts trust in bringing in new aspects to the event and widening the audience. Wearable Creationz will remain and will be led by Sera Devcich, with students and teachers invited to attend workshops and seminars prior to the event.
This year’s event will include a section giving exposure to young performing artists. Darlene Mohekey, the Blue Baths’ creative and musical director will run road shows to schools and hold auditions in April.
The inaugural CreationFest Film competition will allow budding Peter Jacksons to show off their talents under the guidance of John Callen. Having worked for 40 years as a professional actor, director and writer, John will not only join the CreationFestroadshow, he will also run a workshop in April and provide online support. Participants will produce a film of up to 8 minutes duration, featuring Rotorua elements and drawing on one of the five wearable creations categories.
Barbara Cook, who with Terry Wheeler was an original creator of the event, says she is excited about the fresh, new event.
“CreationFest is going backto grass roots in terms of sizebut it is going to have exciting new genres. It is going to be fun and will cover a lot more of the community.
“The additional areas of performance and film mean a lot more people can now put up their hands and say ‘I can do that – it sounds like a funky thing to do’.”
Barbara says the Rotorua Trust’s funding is enabling the event to take place again, so that the Rotorua Creative Art Trust can work side-by-side with the professional team from the Blue Baths in managing the event.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CREATIVEFEST,
CONTACT:
07 350 2119
info@creationfest.co.nz