Author Archives: ruth arnison
Not a poetry reading but a performance
This afternoon’s advertised poetry reading at Olveston was very misleading. The poems weren’t read, they were performed. And it was a performance of the highest standard with Louise Petherbridge, John Watson, Joan MacDonald and Jocelyn Harris delighting the audience with … Continue reading
A sampling from the Gallery
Dunedin artist Kiri Mitchell’s wonderful response to my poem Dutch Girl knitting a sock which was my response to the Olveston painting Dutch Girl by Jenny Wimperis. Dutch girl knitting a sock Our mother never wore … Continue reading
A snowy day at the Drying Room Gallery
I turned up at the Gallery this morning in layers and layers of clothing and my snow boots. They were the first item to be discarded and left to dry in the Drying Room Gallery, of course. It was quiet … Continue reading
The Opening
The day is nearly over and it’s been a long one. Within half an hour of arriving at Olveston this morning a camera man and reporter arrived from Channel 39. I’m not fond of cameras and I’m definitely not comfortable talking … Continue reading
What’s happening in the gardens
Peter Gregory called in to Olveston on Sunday to deliver his exhibition pots. They are glorious. He also brought some extras for me to use as vases during the exhibition. I had a wander around the Olveston gardens to see … Continue reading
A note from the Steinway
The Olveston Steinway was quite happy to be the subject of a poem. After several failed attempts I gave up and acknowledged the Steinway was right all along. It had to be a rhyming poem. So in honor of the … Continue reading
The Steinway sings
If there are any pianists in a tour group they’re frequently invited to play the Steinway before they leave the drawing-room and continue on upstairs. Today the pianist was playing for ages so I popped downstairs to ask Astrid what … Continue reading
