Stations of the Cross in Hamilton are not new. They have been resident in the surrounds of the interior of the Catholic parishes of Hamilton for decades.

However, contemporary NZ installations, as exhibited by the Incedo community were first trialed in the fellowship hall of St Andrews in 2001. Over Friday and Saturday nights, artists prepared a range of art works unknowingly seeding something that was going to emerge as a significant event in Hamilton’s art calendar.

In the weekend before Easter, the third exhibition was held in the Meteor theatre in 2004. It was opened on the Friday and Saturday evenings and had a Sunday matinee opening with complimentary vino and cheese. It attracted 350.

The next exhibition was back in the Meteor theatre in 2005. It opened from the Friday of the weekend before Easter but closed on Maundy Thursday. It attracted 850. For the first time, high school audiences viewed the exhibition week days. It also had evenings of live band and live electronica. It experienced with matinee openings but were not well attended.

The Meteor also hosted 2006’s exhibition. Infamous for the shower of blood in Stations 13# the crucifixion. It also gained media coverage for the Victoria st crucifixion (greenkeeper on cross) of Hamilton’s green keeper of the cricket park – condemned for a flawed pitch. This exhibition utilized the concrete cool of the upstairs rooms of the meteor. 1200 attended.

In 2007 the critics said it could never be done. Stations were planned OUTDOORS at the Hamilton Gardens – but would have to be packed in and set up, and packed out each and every night. Hmmmmmmm The weather remained fine all week, and feedback from the 2300 punters was of a gardens experience second to none. The 2007 adventure saw a Gala opening also take place, which saw civic, arts, and media types welcomed to the exhibition. Once the litres of candle wax were ironed of the steps, Peter Sergel of the gardens management smiled, saw the potential for the exhibition, and has since been a strong advocate for it’s future.

2008 – time will tell