Local colour hits Stratford gallery | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Mavis Gibson and Janet Hardwick-Smith will be honoured in an upcoming exhibition to be held in the Percy Thomson Gallery (Community Gallery) opening September 22 until October 2 alongside 'Local Colour', an exhibition in the main gallery.

The Stratford Art Society has organized this exhibition in honour of two longstanding treasured members and provides an opportunity to revisit their many works.

Mavis Gibson

Taranaki born and bred Mavis is a passionate, prolific artist using all mediums and a variety of styles. She has tutored art classes in Taranaki and is a life member of both the Hawera Art Club and the Stratford Art Society. Her work has been hung in numerous exhibitions throughout New Zealand, her greatest thrill was winning the 'Montana Art Awards'. Mavis suffered a major stroke 2 years ago which paralysed her painting hand. Not to be beaten she is now painting with her other hand. No mean feat at 90 years of age. Mavis's work graces many public buildings and homes in Taranaki and elsewhere. Written by Mavis's daughter - Colleen.

Janet Hardwick-Smith

Janet was born and raised in Wellington, where she attended Seatoun Primary school, then Queen Margaret's College, as a day-girl. She learned to play the piano at a young age, and has continued with this throughout her life. She also learned ballet up until her early twenties. During her teen years, the family had a section at Waikanae (where they later moved). Janet kept a horse near here and spent a lot of time riding with friends, especially on the Waikanae beach. Later she was an instructor for the Waikanae Pony Club.

She also did a lot of cycling with friends around the Wellington area. Sometimes they would take their bikes on the train up to Paekakariki and bike back. After leaving school, Janet did two years at Art School in Wellington. She also did a season of herd testing in the Wanganui area, using a horse and cart for transport, and with her dog trotting along behind. She spent several years doing an office job for an importer, George Stock, in Wellington. She would work for him until 5pm, then start at 5.30pm until 10pm, working for the photographer, Spencer Digby, so that she could save enough money to go overseas. Janet went to England in 1952 travelling with her sister on a ship that took 7 weeks to get there. She spent two years travelling and working in England, Ireland, Scotland and on the Continent. She returned in November 1954, and in January 1955 started on an eight-month 'pressure-cooker' course at Teachers' Training College in Wellington, during which time she did three week stints at primary schools in Hastings, Manawatu, Wanganui and Nelson. She eventually took a job at a school in Masterton.

In 1957 Janet married Ralph Hardwick-Smith, and moved to his Mangamingi sheep and beef farm, east of Eltham. Here she raised three children, teaching them all to play the piano, and to ride from a young age. This latter task involved using a donkey she had trained herself. She always had a horse, and frequently rode all over the steep rugged hill country often accompanied by her daughter, Anna, on her pony.

She always kept up her interest in art. In the early 1960s she travelled down to Hawera to attend art classes regularly. She has since been a member of the Stratford Art Society for about 30 years. Her art mainly involved using watercolours, but also pastels, oils and screen-printing. Her paintings have been exhibited in Art Galleries all over New Zealand.

In the 1970s, she taught Art at St Mary's School in Stratford for several years, and also became involved with the Stratford RDA. Janet's loves are her animals, her art, her music, and her garden.

Local Colour

Local Colour is an exhibition by a group of artists who have been together for over 20 years originally under the tutelage of the late Tom Kreisler.

They have continued inspiring and encouraging each other meeting at the Pioneer Village (Stratford) rooms every Tuesday.

This exhibition is a view of the work they have completed in and out of class. They continue to be inspired by Tom and the words of their past mentor echo in their minds and hearts. Anyone interested in joining the group may contact Tony Rumball phone 06 759 1629 or Joan Fitzpatrick 06 765 6843

Scenes like this one, of Mavis Gibson's work have met with acclaim throughout the region, contributing to her new status as a life member of the Stratford Art Society.