GLOW@Artweek Postponed

Devonport Business Association: Update

Lockdown 2.0 came as a hard blow to many. It has again hit our small businesses hard and again restricted how we gather and come together as family, friends and communities.
In mid-September, after months of planning, Unitec Institute of Technology and The Devonport Business Association (DBA), made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s GLOW@Artweek project and weekend event which was due to take place on 16-17th October as part of Artweek Auckland.
“After a lot of discussion with the students and the Devonport Business Association around alternative options, we’ve agreed that we can’t provide enough certainty to students to complete the fully built projects, nor can we be certain that we could stage the event with a large group of the public in attendance,” said Peter McPherson, Head of Unitec’s School of Architecture.
This year would have been the sixth consecutive year that Unitec and the DBA have hosted and produced this highly-acclaimed festival of light installations on Windsor Reserve, which has become one of the most popular events on the Artweek Auckland annual calendar.
Despite Covid-19, current restrictions and hardships, Devonport refuses to be deterred! Unitec and the DBA will continue to work together and look forward to bringing GLOW@Artweek back to Devonport’s Windsor Reserve next year.
There are a number of exciting opportunities scheduled for Devonport Village during Artweek Auckland which takes place 10-18 October! Visit https://artweekauckland.co.nz/ for a list of activities and exhibits from our local theatre, museum and galleries!
We are also moving forward with plans to host the ‘Friday After Five’ celebration in Devonport Village – now scheduled for Friday 4th December. Clarence Street, between Victoria Road and Wynyard Street, will be closed off from 5pm-10pm and set to transform into a vibrant street party featuring live music, entertainment, face painters, food vendors, family fun and more.
This is a challenging time for our businesses and for our community. We remain optimistic that people will again feel confident in gathering together in large numbers. In the meantime, continue to support local; take time to head out with your bubble and experience new things – starting with all that your local arts businesses have to offer this Artweek.
I look forward to seeing you in Devonport.

 


Issue 114 October-November 2020