New gift for CoCa

The Dominion Museum building will be reclaimed by Massey University after Peter Jackson’s Great War Exhibition closes in December.

Almost four years ago Massey partnered with Jackson and the Wellington City Council to see the museum building used for Jackson’s commemorative exhibition.

Since opening in 2015, more than 400,000 people have visited the exhibition.

The space will now be gifted back to the College of Creative Arts and used as a space for students, staff and their exhibitions.

Fourth year Fashion Design student, Freedom Holloway, has been at university nearly as long as the exhibition has been around.

She says the reclamation is bittersweet for her and many of her classmates.

“Some of us are excited for the students who will be here in future years to use the space that the exhibit is currently using.”

“But also, there is a feeling of loss for the exhibit to be leaving our building,” she says.

Holloway says one positive is that it will now mean more space for students to work but still maintains it was lovely to have so much history in the building.

“I always feel proud to say this is the building I learn and create in,” she says.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas says the university was delighted to host the exhibition through an important period in New Zealand’s history.

Thomas says the university community is equally happy and excited to again be able to showcase its world-class College of Creative Arts including the Wellington School of Design in such an impressive facility.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Wellington to share in the fantastic work being produced by our students and staff in the fields of fine arts, creative media production, commercial music, and design.

“The iconic Grand Hall has been the scene of numerous exhibitions, performances and events for decades and it will be wonderful to have such an outstanding asset back in action for the college, the wider Massey University, including the colleges of Business, Health and Humanities and Social Sciences, and the public,” she says.