DIY Arts Dinner: Lonnie Hutchinson

"Kupu Te Ahi is part of a series of six works from my show, The Ballad of Tūhaitara, in 2015 at the Jonathan Smart Gallery in Christchurch. The concept for the exhibition is steeped in narrative belonging to my whakapapa /genealogy. Tūhaitara was a woman of strength and mana whose marriage, children and tragic end is significant in Ngai Tahu history and its origins on the east coast of the North Island and consequent migration south. Kupu Te Ahi, the word is fire. Keeping the home fires burning, emphasises perseverance, resilience and a sense of home and belonging." – 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, Lonnie Hutchinson

Create your own unforgettable evening, themed by one of our awarded artists.

Step 1:
Choose a limited-edition DIY Dinner Pack (or packs!) on the form below.

Step 2:
Buy a pack for $500 – it covers up to 10 guests (just $50 each when you split the cost).
100% of your purchase supports The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi.

Your pack includes:

10 x artist-designed placemats (400 GSM matte card – use now, frame later!)
10 x matching coasters
Plus – a surprise!

Step 3: Supersize it (optional)
For an additional $2,000, take your dinner to the next level with:

6 bottles of wine from Craggy Range - including 2 bottles from their Prestige Collection
Exclusive recipes by renowned chef Josh Emett
A $1,000 donation to The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi

You can supersize one pack or all of them – your choice!

Step 4:
Host your dinner party – potluck, long lunch, candlelit feast, you name it.

Just to be clear:
The artist won’t be popping in to pass the salt – they’ve already done their part by creating your pack. The rest is up to you.

DIY Arts Dinner Packs

DIY Arts Dinner: Bill Manhire - $500

DIY Arts Dinner: Giselle Clarkson - $500

DIY Arts Dinner: Lonnie Hutchinson - $500

DIY Arts Dinner: Tony de Lautour - $500

DIY Arts Dinner: Arts Foundation 25th Birthday - $500

Number of packs you wish to supersize (+$2,000)

A supersize upgrade includes: Craggy Range Wine 6 pack, bespoke recipes by Josh Emett and a $1000 Donation to The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi. You don’t have to supersize each pack you order (e.g. you could order 2 packs but only choose to supersize one, or you could supersize both.)

Great New Zealand Arts Dinner Party

Great New Zealand Arts Dinner Party - $3,750 (50% deposit)

Total cost is $7,500 and includes: an Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi awarded artist and chef coming to your home and a Craggy Range Wine 6 pack. If you would prefer The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi to invoice you directly please email todd@thearts.co.nz.

Your Details

First Name

Last Name

Contact Number

Needed for courier

Apartment / Floor / Unit Number

Street Address

Suburb

City

Postcode

Region

Delivery Instructions

Total $

500

DIY Arts Dinner: Bill Manhire

"I've always subscribed to the notion that poems and stories are 'beautiful lies' – they invent things in order to tell some deeper truth. But the story in this poem is exactly what happened – all I had to do was write it down." – 2018 Icon Whakamana Hiranga, Bill Manhire

Get Your Pack

DIY Arts Dinner: Giselle Clarkson

"When I was a kid who sat politely while the adults talked, I would study the placemats to entertain myself. I'd look for hidden patterns or imagine myself into the scene. With this as my inspiration I've created a placemat that anyone can escape into, by yourself or with the whole table. Would you rather ride the slug bus (slow but beautifully smooth) or mount a slater (fast but unreliable)?" – 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, Giselle Clarkson

Get Your Pack

DIY Arts Dinner: Tony de Lautour

"Recently I have been looking back on my earlier work and reusing images from them. To create something new for the placemat and coaster I cut up, rearranged and recoloured Text Message, a woodblock print from 2008." – 2012 Arts Foundation Laureate, Tony de Lautour

Learn More

DIY Arts Dinner: Arts Foundation 25th Birthday

"The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi represents hope for creatives, for those of us walking the harder path in the arts." – 2019 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, Kris Sowersby

Get Your Pack

Great New Zealand Arts Dinner Party

Let us bring the full creative experience to your home. We’ll pair you with one of our awarded artists and a leading New Zealand chef to create a one-of-a-kind dinner party in your own space. Think beautiful kai, fine wine, meaningful conversation, and an unforgettable night celebrating the arts.