The Wairau Māori Art Gallery Charitable Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Larissa McMillan (Ngāpuhi) as the inaugural Director, Te Ringa Hautū Toi, of the new Wairau Māori Art Gallery with Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei.
Larissa has more than 13 years experience in the arts and culture sector, with a background in visual communication, arts writing, and project management. She also brings considerable marketing and promotional experience to the Director’s role.
Larissa says: “I am honoured to be the inaugural Director, Te Ringa Hautū Toi. It is an important responsibility and an opportunity I look forward to.”
Elizabeth Ellis, Chair of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery Charitable Trust, says: “It is exciting to welcome Larissa McMillan with her skills, knowledge, and youthful enthusiasm to this new public art institution. Her appointment will allow the Wairau Māori Art Gallery to develop its work in promoting Māori artists, Māori curators, and Māori culture through supporting vibrant exhibitions and developing an education programme that will engage our communities in contemporary Māori art. I am confident this will lead to growing our national and (in time) our international and indigenous audiences.”
Larissa will commence in the role from 19 April 2022 and will be based in the Hātea Art Precinct, Whangarei.
The development of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery began in 2012 following the involvement of a group of Māori artists, scholars, and academics. Ten years later the doors have opened. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition 'Puhi Ariki' features nine key artists who each have whakapapa / genealogical links to the North. The 12 members of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery Charitable Trust have a partnership with the Hundertwasser Foundation in Vienna, alongside cooperative agreements and relationships with Te Parawhau ki Tai hapu, the Hatea Art Precinct Trust, and the Hihiaua Cultural Centre.
CREDIT: Hundertwasser Art Centre. Photo by Greg Hay
CREDIT: Left to Right: Elizabeth Ellis CNZM (Chair, Wairau Maori Art Gallery Charitable Tust Board), Tim Melville (Trustee), Larissa McMillan (Director Te Ringa Hautu Toi), Elizabeth Hauraki (Trustee)