Thorndon Open Day: Literature, Music & Art

Combined Open Days at the Randell Cottage, the Lilburn Residency and the Rita Angus Residency - the homes of New Zealand writers, composers, and artists.

Join us on Saturday, 2 November for an afternoon celebrating art, music and literature at three Thorndon arts residencies. The Randell Cottage's doors, along with those of the Lilburn and Angus residences will be open to the public from 1 to 4pm. Visitors will be treated to readings from New Zealand writers as well as music and the opportunity to spend some time sketching in Rita Angus's garden.

The three residences are in easy walking distance of each other. There will be birthday cake on offer to celebrate what would have been Douglas Lilburn’s 104th birthday. A simple map will be available to show the route.

The Randell Cottage, a Category II historic place built in 1867 as the family of home of William and Sarah Randell and their ten children, is now a writer's residence for New Zealand and French writers. The current resident is Paddy Richardson who will be joining us to read from her novel-in-progress, 'The Green of Spring'.

The Lilburn Residence ( Category I), where the composer Douglas Lilburn lived and worked, will be open for visitors to explore, with music in the cottage and the garden.

The garden at the Rita Angus Cottage (Category I) will be open to visitors, who are encouraged to stay and sketch the abundant array of flowers and plant life that surround the 1877 cottage where New Zealand artist Rita Angus lived between 1955 and 1970, providing her with much inspiration and subject matter. Thorndon Trustees and volunteer gardeners will be on hand, with drawing material and reproductions of some of Rita’s representations of her Thorndon garden.

Koha would be appreciated at each of the residences.

Location:
- The Randell Cottage (14 St Mary’s Street);
- The Lilburn Residence (22 Ascot Street);
- The former residence of Rita Angus (194A Sydney Street West)

Email contact: info@randellcottage.co.nz