MTG Hawke's Bay reopens its doors after a three year makeover

Hawke's Bay much loved cultural icon, MTG Hawke's Bay (Museum Theatre Gallery) has re-opened after a three year refurbishment.

The redeveloped MTG now sparkles in its waterfront location on Marine Parade, among other iconic buildings like the Art Deco Trust building and the Art Deco Masonic Hotel and was reintroduced to the people of Hawke's Bay at the weekend with opening festivities including free entry and a street carnival in the adjacent, newly upgraded, Herschell Street.

The MTG's $18 million makeover, which has seen glass cases shipped in from Belgium, cutting edge interactive technology to enhance visitors' experiences and even CT scans performed on sculptures, has been funded by local and central government as well as contributions from supporters and patrons within the community.

Design and architecture writer and MTG Director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins says the people of Hawke's Bay will be delighted with the new building, stating "we've found the perfect balance between old and new, restoring key features like the original museum's entrance and incorporating them into the new building."

"It's been a huge operation and a labour of love for all of us here at MTG. We're so grateful for all the support we've received and it's a pleasure to be able to celebrate this opening with everyone at last."

Lloyd Jenkins spearheads a passionate and experienced team including Hawke's Bay local and exhibition designer, Olivia Morris, who has previously worked with Te Papa, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and on Sir Peter Jackson's blockbuster film King Kong.

Morris added "I came on board last December and was blown away by how much energy and goodwill this project has received from the local community and beyond. It's fantastic for us to have this bright new space equipped to house world-class exhibitions and our treasured archives and collections."

Three of the opening exhibitions all draw on the concept of 'home' and its interpretations. Take these with you when you leave - Treasures of the archive, Architecture of the heart and Ukaipo - o tatou whakapapa join longer term installations like the popular Earthquake exhibition which tells the story of the 1931 Napier earthquake.

While the exhibitions will be a draw-card for visitors to the region, the local community will see great benefits from the MTG's inclusive approach to education. MTG will see over 10,000 students through its doors as part of the Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programme, an initiative Lloyd Jenkins is particularly passionate about.

He concludes, "after three years in the making, the wait will definitely be worth it. MTG will be a jewel in the cultural crown of Hawke's Bay, celebrating the art of storytelling, which we hope will be embraced wholly by locals and visitors alike."

For more information go to www.mtghawkesbay.com/

19th March 2013 - OPERATIC SOCIETY CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF PERFORMANCES AT THE NAPIER MUNICIPAL THEATRE