Mike Tavioni Art Center, Rarotonga

Mike Tavioni is a renowned artist from Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

Mike has influenced and supported countless artists over many decades.

His contribution to the arts in the Cook Islands and wider Pacific cannot be overstated.

Mike is now in his 70's and unfortunately the time will come where he will no longer be with us.

However, he still has big dreams that you can support him with now that will be part of his legacy.

His dream is to help protect and develop traditional and contemporary Cook Island art forms through 'Gallery Tavioni' - a local art center, gallery and art school.

My name is Chauncey Flay. I am an artist who has just spent a month working with Mike at his studio and gallery in Rarotonga.

I've had the privilege of watching him work, listen to his stories and benefit from his endless generosity, spirit and humour.

All the time while I was there people would come to visit, maybe ask him to carve something, to donate a sculpture for a charity fundraiser, teach them some carving skills, or just sit down for a long chat about common friends, relatives or experiences.

Mike was always happy to share and give to others, but the dream he constantly talked of are his plans to build his art center.

This is progressing very slowly due to having very limited cash flow.

So far just the gallery has been mostly finished, and in fact we just celebrated an exhibition opening.

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/culture/item/69314-art-show-opening-draws-big-crowd

He is very reluctant to apply for additional grants or ask for money, but really at this point I believe his energy needs to be going into making art, teaching, and sharing his vast knowledge, not scraping together some money to buy a few more bags of cement or sheets of roofing iron.

I've convinced him (after many talks) that there will be many people out there in communities around the world that would happily support him develop his Art Center if they knew how.

And that there is no shame in reaching out, and that Givealittle will be a great way to fast track his project with the support of people who he has helped in the past, or who want to support him back now.

Please watch the video above where Mike explains why he wants to build his art center.

You can help in two ways.

1. Make a donation!

2. SHARE the link to this page to other artists, art lovers and supporters of Mike Tavioni around the globe.

Your support will benefit Mike directly and also many younger artists of the Cook Islands.