Lynley Dodd’s legacy

One of New Zealand’s favourite children’s book writers, Dame Lynley Dodd DNZM, is gifting budding children’s writers the same gift that gave her a leg up. The $30,000 Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award was inspired by a similar pivotal moment where a financial gift enabled Lynley to continue writing and make her name. She hopes […]

Harmonious nonsense: Alexandra Hope

Alexandra Hope Watson is a high flyer – literally. You may have seen her beaming down at you from a University of Canterbury (UC) billboard, emboldened behind her the words “MUSIC” and “AEROBATICS”, writes Metropol’s Joseph Harper. Acurious juxtaposition, one that describes two of the young composer and concert singer’s passions. Alexandra began flying at […]

Framed to perfection: Windsor Gallery

The perfect artwork can breathe life into a space like nothing else. The right combination of colours, shapes, and textures can create a sense of energy and life, or comfort and serenity. For over a century, Windsor Gallery has been helping customers to discover these kinds of invigorating art solutions. Windsor Gallery exhibits works by […]

Spirit and passion light up the theatre: Isaac Theatre Royal

Audiences are set to be dazzled with an exciting line-up of shows at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal in the coming months. Lighting up the iconic venue, these shows celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of performing arts. This season, Showbiz Christchurch brings the beloved musical Mamma Mia! to life, featuring the best local talent in a […]

Where the wild things are

In its 59th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year event has again served up some of the best ‘up close and personal’ animal shots of all time. Entries come in from people of all locations, ages, and skill levels, this time seeing 49,957 entries. Judged on creativity, orginality, and technical excellence, see Metropol’s favourites […]

Art with purpose: Art Metro

One local gallery has established itself as a cornerstone of Canterbury’s community arts scene. As well as offering professional and individualised fine arts tuition, Art Metro is currently displaying a series of stunning works by two of their tutors, Malene Laugesen and Veronique Lambert. Danish-born Malene’s work draws on her background as an animator and […]

Marilynn Webb: Folded in the Hills, Christchurch Art Gallery

A masterful collection of landscapes all about connection is currently exhibited at Christchurch Art Gallery. Late Māori artist Marilynn Webb (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Kahu) is known for her unique form and passion for feminism and environmental and political issues. Over five decades, Marilynn dedicated herself to creating art that explores the relationships between land, […]

Kintsugi Muse

The latest series by emerging artist Cosette Calder, “encapsulates the perfectly imperfect and finds beauty in the broken,” she says. Ōtautahi-based artist Cosette finds inspiration from a 400-year-old Japanese art form known as Kintsugi. It means to “join with gold.” This ancient art form is a method of repairing objects, usually ceramic pottery or glass. […]

Celebrating creativity and community: Isaac Theatre Royal

As we cross the threshold into mid-2024, the Isaac Theatre Royal team reflects on a decade of resilience and renewal since the rebuild in the heart of Ōtautahi. The past year and a half have been radiant, with the historic stage echoing vibrant creativity and the deep connections that bind our community.Central to the mission […]

Christchurch choir boy takes on the opera

Cathedral choir director Nicholas Forbes has a lifetime dedication to choir. He tells Metropol writer Daniella Judge about his involvement in the upcoming New Zealand Opera show Le comte Ory. Nicholas’ exuberant personality and excitement over Le comte Ory are infectious. It’s easy to imagine him happily leading a team of opera singers, which is […]