Tom di Maria to talk at Te Papa

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

This free event at Te Papa is open to the public. It will be held from 11am to 1pm on Tuesday 25 August.

 

Tom di Maria, Director of the Creative Growth Art Centre in Oakland, California, will discuss the role of the centre and its collaborations with the professional arts sector at an event in Te Papa in Wellington on Tuesday 25 August, with the support of Arts Access Aotearoa.
 

The Creative Growth Art Centre is the world's oldest and largest art centre serving artists with disabilities. It is constantly building partnerships with professional artists, organisations and companies.

 

"At the moment, we're working with design company Kzo to design a new product line of clothing," di Maria said. "Another recent partnership is with renowned designer Mark Jacobs to produce a range of products for sale world-wide in Marc Jacobs stores. At Creative Growth, our aim is to ensure the work of artists with disabilities is seen for what it is: outstanding new work by contemporary American artists."

 

Di Maria is also visiting Sydney, where he will speak at a symposium and exhibition for Arts Project Australia. He will also visit galleries and meet collectors.

Arts Access Aotearoa Executive Director Marianne Taylor said that collaborations between the professional and disability arts sectors are a key way to help achieve the New Zealand Disability Strategy's vision of an inclusive society.

"Working together, the two sectors can produce work that reflects quality, diversity and difference." she said. "We're delighted to bring Tom from Sydney to talk about some of the centre’s inspiring projects and grateful to Te Papa for allowing us to use its Marae."

 

In June 2008, di Maria founded Galerie Impaire, the centre's non-profit gallery in Paris. Galerie Impaire exhibits the work of artists with disabilities, self-taught artists and contemporary artists from around the world. Earlier this year, Wellington artist, curator and academic Stuart Shepherd presented an exhibition of New Zealand art at the Paris gallery.

 

Following Tom di Maria’s presentation, Stuart Shepherd will talk about his experience of hosting a New Zealand stand at the New York Outsider Art Fair 2009 and curating the Galerie Impaire exhibition.
 

Before his role at the Creative Growth Art Centre, Tom di Maria was the Assistant Director of the UC Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive. He has also worked as the Executive Director of FRAMELINE, and as Director of Development and Marketing at the San Francisco Film Society. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute, College of Art, in film and photography. He is also an award-winning filmmaker.

This free event at Te Papa is open to the public. It will be held from 11am to 1pm on Tuesday 25 August.

 

For more information, please contact:

Iona McNaughton

Communications Manager

Arts Access Aotearoa

T: 04-802 4349 / 021 799 059

E: iona.mcnaughton@artsaccess.org.nz