Monday 7 March 2016 marks exactly six months to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
To celebrate the milestone the Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Spirit of Gold® Collection will be on show in a series of pop-up art exhibitions around Wellington starting on Monday 7 March at the Wellington Railway Station.
The art exhibitions will be hosted by ACC as a major partner of PNZ. Emma Powell, Head of Injury Prevention, Partnerships & Delivery at ACC, says ACC and PNZ share the value of helping to support New Zealanders to be active.
“And we are proud to be part of the team supporting the New Zealand Paralympians and Para-Athletes on their Road to Rio 2016.“
“Through the celebration of sporting excellence we aim to inspire people to lead active lifestyles and participate in sports at all levels.“
“Hosting the portraits in venues around Wellington means everyone can get behind the Paralympians and Para-Athletes – we can learn more about them and actively show our support,“ says Ms Powell.
London 2012 Paralympic Games gold medalist in Para-Swimming, Wellingtonian Mary Fisher, will be joining Emma at the Wellington Train Station to talk to people viewing the exhibition.
“The portraits are a very innovative way of showing the energy and resolve of New Zealand’s Paralympians and Para-Athletes. I am interested to hear people’s feedback,“ says Mary, who features in one of the Portraits.
There will be an opportunity to leave a message of support for the New Zealand Paralympic Team at each of the pop-up sites.
Paralympics New Zealand CEO, Fiona Allan is delighted with the reception the portraits have received on their tour of the country so far. “Look out for the pop-ups around Wellington, see the portraits and leave a message of support for our Paralympians and Para-Athletes“.
The week starts at the Wellington Train Station – where early morning commuters get the first chance to view the Tour. More pop-up exhibitions are planned throughout the week – please visit http://acc.nz/spiritofgoldpopups for details.
The exhibition features a series of portraits of New Zealand’s most well known Paralympians and Para-Athletes. The portraits were painted by Kiwi artist Amber Stephens and include London 2012 Paralympic Games medallists Sophie Pascoe, Michael Johnson, Cameron Leslie and Mary Fisher, Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games medallist, Corey Peters, and World Champion Para-Cyclists Emma Foy and Laura Thompson.
Monday 7 March
6.30am – 8.30am Wellington Railway Station
5.00pm – 10.00pm Cable Car Terminus, Lambton Quay
Tuesday 8 March
7.00am – 8.30am Cable Car Terminus, Lambton Quay
12.30pm – 3.30pm Queens Wharf – under the sails
Wednesday 9 March
7.30am – 9.00am Spark Building Atrium, Willis Street
12.00pm – 2.30pm Civic Square
5.30pm – 7.30pm Wellington Railway Station
Thursday 10 March
5.00pm – 8.30pm ASB Sports Centre, Kilbirnie
Friday 11 March
11.00am -12.30pm Cable Car Terminus, Kelburn
4.30pm – 6.30pm Odlins Plaza, Taranaki St end of waterfront
Saturday 12 March
7.30am – 9.30am Les Mills Extreme, Taranaki Street
1.00pm – 3.00pm ASB Sports Centre, Kilbirnie
Sunday 13 March
12.00pm – 2.00pm Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
