THE KATIKATI STORY
The idea for the project was first developed by Barbara Wolfenden who had visited Chemainus in 1986, even though she was only in the town for one hour the impact on what had been achieved made a real impression. After sharing her ideas with Randle and Eileen Henderson who put her on to Joan Clarke, President of the Katikati Art Group and June Carlton, a respected and former art teacher at the college, the seed was planted and the proposal for a similar project in Katikati was started. In October, 1990 a group of enthusiastic and concerned Katikati residents meet at the Talisman Hotel and formed an organising committee, which began planning and raising funds.
Research into historical and photographic material was undertaken to identity appropriate themes for murals, based on historical developments, including major social, economic and cultural influences on the district and key personalities from our past community.
On Monday, February 18, 1991, a public meeting was held at the Moore Park Rugby Clubrooms chaired by local College principal Brain Blackstock. The Katikati community was introduced to the bold and imaginative venture that could set Katikati on a new path for the future and make it the mural centre of New Zealand.
On May 29, 1991, the organising committee became incorporated as Katikati Open-Air Art Inc. and the first four mural concepts had been approved and painting was well underway.
In 1992, Artist Mary Jones from Waihi, painted the 10th mural “Haymaking”. It depicts a farm scene from the 1920’s
In 1994, KOAA were runner ups receiving the “Highly Commended” award at the 1st Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards.
TV3 were in town for two days in May 1995 filming a documentary called “In Putting Our Town On The Map’ it explored the imaginative ways in which small New Zealand towns are giving themselves a unique “image”. 1995 saw KOAA win the overall prize at the Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community awards. Katikati Open – Air Art were also a finalist in the 2005 New Zealand Tourism Awards.
By 1996, Open Air Art was celebrating the completion of the 25th art piece, and the “Mural Magic Festival” was held to celebrate, with invited guest from other mural towns from around the world in attendance. Part of the festival was the official opening of the new Muraltown Information Centre by Dame Cath Tizard. In December KOAA launched a book called “The Mural of Katikati” written by Rosalie Smith.
In 1999, the 30th mural was unveiled; the “Pohutukawa Sentinal” was the work of the youngest mural artist to date Jessie Brodie, a Katikati College student. The town welcomed a new resident when “Barry” the kiwi bloke, took up his seat in the middle of town, Barry has over time developed into the most iconic and photographed artwork in the OAA collection. This was further enhanced when in 2002 Barry was to be seriously vandalised; the town was so upset and angry they fundraised to get Barry repaired and returned to his rightful spot.
The driving force behind Katikati Open – Air Art June Carlton, was recognised with QSM (Queens Service Medal) for her service to the Katikati community in the 2002 New Year’s Honours list.
In 2000 Katikati celebrated its 125 years of European settlement, the mural “Our People – Our Story” was dedicated by New Zealand’s Governor- General, Dame Silvia Cartwright. The year also brought the first appearance of the Pukeko character which was in 2002 named “Pukeko Kid’, PK for short. After some public feedback the concept reappeared in 2001 on the proposed new road signs promoting Katikati as Muraltown.
In January of 2002 the first Open- Air concert was held and the Haiku Pathway Reserve came alive with the sound of music. These were to become a popular fundraiser of the mural project.
2005 was to be a very sad year for KKOAA when in June we lost suddenly Colin Carlton a committee member and behind the scenes all round volunteer, then a few weeks later his wife and KOAA stalwart June passed away. Their passing left a huge hole in the ranks of OAA, both had been the driving force behind the whole mural project and gave countless hours of service and dedication. At the beginning of the year an artist from Holland, Peter Enter painted the 40th mural “Going Nowhere” a light-hearted look at a story from early Katikati
During 2006 the first New Zealand Mural and Art festival was held. Eight mural artists competed against each other in a five day paint off to win the June Carlton Memorial Trophy, Nelson artist Chris Finlayson was the first winner.
In 2007, the road signs north and south of the town were finally erected five years after the first concept was revealed.
September 2008, the second mural festival was held and the winner that year was Peter Nicholson from Whitianga. A sculpture was unveiled in 2008 by Queenstown artist Mark Hill. The Corten steel structure called “The Pioneers” was dedicated to the memory of June and Colin Carlton, it reminded us of the hardship and dedication of the early European settlers who arrived from Ireland in 1875
June 2009, KKOAA was announced the supreme winners of the Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty District Community Awards. Up against 58 other groups and organisations OAA won the prize and the honour of representing the district in the 2009 Trustpower National Awards to be held in Nelson in March 2010. Also that year saw the development and unveiling of the “Birdwalk” sculpture trail on the Yeoman Uretara Walkway, the bird walk is dedicated to renowned wildlife photographer Brian Chudleigh.
March 2010, KKOAA represented by Judy Junger and Kit Wilson, competed against 23 groups of volunteers at the Trustpower National Awards, the team came away the runner-up to winners Motueka Hospital Trust, a sterling effort.
2011 was a busy year for OAA, not only did we hold the third New Zealand Mural and Art Festival but we unveiled our 50th mural the “Anglican Church Mural”, commissioned as part of the 125th celebrations the church held in 2010. We also unveiled the biggest mural to date that year, “The Kiwifruit History” mural and at 20 metres in length the mural required its own special frame. The mural was painted in the “trompe l’ oeil “style by New Zealand’s best Marc Spijkerbosch from Rotorua and unveiled in the same week that the Kiwifruit vine disease PSA was found in a Katikati orchard.
2011 saw the opening of The Little Blue House, a little derelict old garage in the middle of town. OAA have leased the building off the owners Western Bay of Plenty District Council and it has become the art hub of Katikati, operated by a dedicated group of caretakers where weekly exhibitions promote a varied array of local and national talent.