Settling into the Residency

5 August 2021

For the next three months, I'm living three stories high in an apartment in the middle of the Arts Centre in Christchurch. I have three flatmates and we have our own bedrooms with ensuites, shared kitchen and lounge. We're settling into our routines, in between our orientation activities.

Yesterday we were given a tour around the Arts Centre and it's surrounding buildings. We marvelled over the Greek pottery in the University of Canterbury's Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities and were invited to attend lunchtime and Friday afternoon music events there.

We visited art company tenants such as The Physics Room (nothing to do with physics, though - they've named their company after the original University building), and toured their current exhibition 'Surfacing' by Emily Parr. She was exploring spaces that have influenced her life.

I discovered the Caird, resting outside The Gym. I regaled my fellow art recipients with Captain Frank Worsley's story from 'Ice Breaker: An Epic Antarctic Adventure'. I may have even found one of the sledges propped up against a wall, too.

The James Caird

We also visited The Great Hall and sat on its stage. I'm feeling a little intimidated at the thought of having a book launch there on the 21st August - it's huge! I found Sir Ernest Rutherford's plaque, but not Beatrice Tinsley's - it's mostly men lining the walls.

From L: Maria, Matilda, Nathan and A.J

The Great Hall

Then we were given a behind the scenes tour of the rebuilding of the Observatory. It's been turned into a boutique hotel and they've just painted the walls bright blues and purples. We were taken up along the scaffolding so we could touch the slate roofing and see close-up the restoration of limestone fittings. Then we trundled down to the basement to see the engine room. A young workman showed us how he carved the limestone and talked about the work they're doing on the buildings.

Art Centre Residents ready for the tour

Afterwards we retired to our rooms to work on our projects. I've been having difficulty with my emails here, which is resulting in my having to change my server. Not what you need when you're away from your techie hubby and emails are the lifeline to your work, family and friends.

We have central heating, comfortable beds, super-hot showers, and all the appliances we need. We're getting to know each other and we're conceptualizing our projects, in order to be clearer in our heads what we're doing. I've so far started a plan, my head is buzzing with the story I'm about to write, and I'm taking lots of notes.

Today I plan to spend the whole day writing - no orientation tours today - and I'll wander down to the Riverside Markets; everyone raves about them. I'll also visit Scorpio books and sign some books. And if there's time in the day, I'll check out the Botanical Gardens. There's so much to see and do around here.

 

On the Road to the Christchurch Arts Residency

Fifi was a great roadie pal

2 August 2021

Earlier in the year I found out I had been awarded the Arts Centre Residency in Christchurch, starting August and finishing in October.  My good friend Fifi Colston suggested I take my car down. 

"Oh no, it's too long a drive," I said.

"I'll come with you," said Fifi, "it'll be fun!"

So, on Wednesday 28th July, I picked Fifi up from the airport and we first drove to Scholastic. We sat in Lynette's office, along with Penny and Abby, and had a wonderful time reminiscing about past and future books. While talking I admired the beautiful posters decorating the walls. Then I turned around and saw lots of posters from books that I had written.

"It's practically the Maria Gill wall," said Penny.

And it was, they had posters from most of the books I had published with Scholastic: Anzac Heroes, Anzac Animals, Kate Sheppard, Abel Tasman, and our latest Remarkable Animals from New Zealand and Australia. Fifi was delighted with the Yellow Digger and Marvellous Marvin posters and accessories.

National Army Museum

Then we were off, driving to Taupo. That night we had dinner with Donovan Bixley and his wife Jo, Tina Shaw and her husband, and Kathy White and her artist friend Ken. Fifi and I were thrilled to see Donovan's latest book and pored over it, while the waiters were placing our dishes in front of us.

The next day, we had morning tea with Fifi's delightfully mischievous mother, and then we were back on the road again. We stopped for a brief dip at thermal pools, signed books at the National Army Museum and arrived in Wellington late that afternoon.

Seals along the motorway

 

 

The next morning we caught the ferry across to Picton, took photographs of seals on the motorway down South, had blue cod fish for lunch in Kaikoura and drinks with Jenny Cooper and her partner at her gorgeous place in Amberley. Fifi had a sneak peek at Jenny's studio and we admired Jenny's stunning collection of artwork on her walls and shelves.

Kaikoura

 

 

 

 

For the next two nights we stayed at Fifi's wonderful mother-in-law's place. 

Saturday night we had dinner with Tania Roxborogh along with her hubby and friend. Her gorgeous dog tried to hug me. We thoroughly enjoyed talking books with Tania and hearing how passionate she is with her teaching.

Kathryn Mansfield House

Kathryn Mansfield's bike

Fifi left to travel to Nelson the next morning, and I drove to the Kate Sheppard House. What a stunning house - they've changed it into a museum to honour Kate Sheppard's memories. I listened to a talk from one of Kate's relatives, signed loads of my Kate Sheppard book, and bought some white camellias to brighten my residency room.

The Art Centre Residents

That afternoon I walked to the Arts Centre to get a feel for my new home. It has a cinema, bar, and museum around it ... and probably loads more, which I'll find out over the next few days.

The Arts Centre

The other art residents are all artists:  A J Fitzwater, a speculative fiction author; Matilda Fraser, a visual artist and art writer; Nathan Joe, a playwright, performance poet, theatre-maker and theatre critic; and me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be writing a children's story about New Zealand's most famous scientist - Sir Ernest Rutherford. The Arts Centre has a Sir Ernest Rutherford replica den; I know I'll be spending lots of time there.

I'll give updates and dates while I'm here - I hope you'll come along with my journey.

 

My book for sale at the Kate Sheppard House