Glenbrook Muralist painting Franklin one wall at a time
Kia ora neighbours,
A muralist from Glenbrook has been beautifying the Franklin district one wall at a time.
This week, Brigita Botma has been bringing a touch of colour to the Waiuku Coastguard club rooms, and has plans for more community walls in the region.
Botma has been painting since she was a child, and has been seriously working as a full time artist for the last few years.
Since then, she has been commissioned to paint over a hundred murals around the Franklin area, some stretching several metres and others as small as streetside Chorus cabinets.
She said she takes her inspiration from the natural outdoors, especially native plants and birds to Aotearoa.
When Botma paints, she says it’s like she’s dreaming. The painting comes naturally now, so she can let her mind drift and meditate.
One of her favourite parts of the job is the community support and encouragement, especially when people stop by as she is painting to say hello and watch her work.
The name she paints under, Manabell, is a combination of her maiden name Bell, and the Pacific word Mana. Her mother is Samoan, and she said Mana reminds her of the pride and respect she puts into her work.
Where she paints in areas prone to vandalism, graffiti and tagging drops off, she said.
“It does deter vandals a lot. I think a lot of people who spray paint walls consider themselves artists so they wouldn’t paint over someone else’s work,” she said.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.3% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.6% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Thames Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
Our genealogy adventures begin with us and what we know. Learn how to take the research journey back in time with like-minded people. Come along to the Thames Branch NZ Society of Genealogists monthly meeting, every 3rd Wednesday of the month. All welcome.
Purple Poppy Day Saturday 21st February
Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga is delighted to be working with Thames RSA to hold our town’s first Purple Poppy Day on 21st February. Purple Poppy day is held throughout the Commonwealth to honour the animals that served and died during WWI and WWII and continue to serve in current conflicts.
Our inaugural Purple Poppy Day features creatures from glowworms and pigeons to camels and elephants.
The competition on the day, PEOPLE AND PETS WEAR PURPLE and/or KHAKI is a fun way to get involved, with lots of neat prizes.
PEOPLE AND PETS WEAR PURPLE and/or KHAKI will be held weather permitting. All other activities will take place inside the museum is the weather isn’t so good.
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