18 May 2020
Just in time for the freedoms of Alert Level 2, Masterton District Council is launching a digital public art trail around town, giving locals and visitors an online map highlighting public art pieces.
And there’s a chance to win a 10-trip pass to the Trust House Recreation Centre pools just by using the map this month.
The trail is part of the council’s art, culture and heritage strategy, and includes 10 sculptures and statues, 10 murals and paintings, and three art installations.
The map can be accessed through the council’s website here.
Mayor Lyn Patterson said the launch of the trail couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Now that we’re at level 2, I know a lot of us are keen to get out for a stroll and reconnect with our community,” she said.
“The map shows the location of some great pieces of public art along with photographs and information about each one.
“Many of the art pieces will be familiar to locals, but don’t be surprised if you come across a piece of art you didn’t know was there or don’t know much about.
“In the future we’ll look to use similar forms of digital maps to share our other great assets, like our parks and reserves, and recreation trails.”
The council’s Manager Community Facilities and Activities Andrea Jackson said the trail offered a different focus for getting out and about.
“The public art trail is a nice way to see a parts of Masterton people may not have been to for a while.
“All you need to do is load the map onto your phone and you’ll have instant access to some wonderful art – and the chance to win a cool prize.”
Art on the trail ranges from the hard-to-miss Ascension on the SH2 roundabout at the north end of town to Paul Dibble’s Garden of Delights, which many locals will have driven past without knowing what it represents, and Thinking Man, on the island in the Lake of Remembrance.
Users of the trail this month can go into the draw to win a 10-trip ticket for the Trust House Recreation Centre pools by finding their favourite piece of public art, taking a selfie with it, and either uploading it via the council website, or sending it via Facebook or by tagging @mymasterton on Instagram. Entries close on 31 May.
On the trail:
Sculptures and statues
- Ascension
- Grace
- Bullocks
- Russian Jack
- Joseph Masters
- Railway wheels
- Garden of Delights
- Tuna Moon Gate
- Thinking Man
- Rhondda Greig Ornamentation
Murals and paintings
- Lullaby of the Moon
- The Hope of Youth
- Te Waonui a Tane
- Regent Three Mural
- Pukaha Mural
- Lest We Forget
- Early Settlers
- War Memorial Mosaic
- Golden Shears Mural
- Corrugated iron wall
Installations
- Light tree
- Hosking Memorial fountain
- Town square paving
ENDS