Artists spurred by heritage inspiration

Lawrence Creative Arts, in partnership with Junction Tuapeka, will host the Blue Spur Artist Response Day tomorrow,  inviting creatives near and far to spend an afternoon observing and interpreting the historic site.

The initiative follows the recent sale of key properties in the area, prompting reflection on what may lie ahead for the former gold mining settlement.

Lawrence Creative Arts manager Rachel Taylor said the community had recognised a shift.

‘‘The remaining Blue Spur land is up for sale or has been sold.

‘‘So the community kind of realised that it was at the end of an era, it could change quite dramatically up there,’’ she said.

Blue Spur was once a busy village at the heart of the Otago gold rush, with homes, a school and services for a population of about 400.

Today, only a small number of buildings remained, including one largely untouched by modern infrastructure, Mrs Taylor said.

‘‘It hasn’t had running water or power or anything like that, it’s like a time capsule.’’

Participants will meet at The Junction community facility in Ross Pl before travelling up Gabriel’s Gully to the site, where they were encouraged to respond through a range of media including writing, photography, film and field recording.

Mrs Taylor said the day was intended as both a creative exercise and a starting point.

‘‘It’s sort of like a resource gathering situation … we don’t expect people to go up there and create finished work.’’

Material gathered may contribute to an exhibition and publication planned for the town’s Heritage Weekend in November, with proceeds returning to the community.

All experience levels are encouraged to bring their own materials and supplies to an afternoon structured as a self-directed session, including a shared picnic.