Art and music go together at Longline Classic

Gisborne Boys’ High School art teacher Brett Summerlee with students, from left, RJ Ngaau, AJ Kinsella, Calvin Braybrook, Akira Makiri, Bay Bramwell and Longline Classic festival directors James Bristow and Kurt Barker. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

The Labour weekend Longline Classic has provided inspiration for a group of Gisborne Boys’ High School art students who have painted more than 30 sheets of plywood with their interpretation of the one-day music festival to decorate the event site.

Taking place this Saturday at the Gisborne Soundshell across two outdoor stages, the line-up includes Katchafire, Mitch James, Home Brew, Lord Echo, Halfqueen, Flamingo Pier, Molly Payton, Witters & MC Crafty and more.

The art activation came about when festival directors Kurt Barker and James Bristow were talking to GBHS art teacher Brett Summerlee about the potential for art students to create work to be part of the Longline Classic.

“As young kids we created the self-portraits that are on the wall down at the wharf and we were talking about how cool it was to see our work on display there years later. This got us thinking about doing something similar at the Longline Classic.” Kurt says.

They are hoping to create art works every year that will be displayed at the Longline Classic so past students can see their work on site at the music festival.

“One day there may be enough art to completely surround the venue so there’s lots of potential there,” Kurt says.

Kurt grew up in Gisborne and remembers working on site at Baywatch after he left school with his friend and business partner James Bristow.

“There’s lots of work in music festivals so this might encourage the students to get into the industry in some capacity.”

The Department of Arts is the company that sets up the stages at Longline Classic owned by another former Gisborne man Jules Craft.

There is also the potential for art works to be created by students that can then be part of the stages at the Longline Classic.

“So we see this as the start of an ongoing art initiative. It may also inspire students to look at other work opportunities at music festivals which they might not have thought of pursuing.

“I wouldn’t have imagined running a music festival myself 10 years ago when I worked at Baywatch, but here I am,” he said.

This is the third Longline Classic and the first time it will take place at the Soundshell.

There will be a range of food and drink options, shaded chill-out areas and plenty of space to dance.

The festival starts at 2pm and closes at 10.30pm with return buses running from Okitu Store, Kaiti Mall, Gisborne District Council and Mangapapa Foursquare.

■ Final release tickets are still available via www.thelonglineclassic.co.nz.