27 June 07 Weta Co-Director Richard Taylor was raised in Te Hihi, Franklin, a District of NZ, and donated a special King Kong sculpture to the special town this month...

In June last year, construction began on a new building in the NZ County of Franklin, to house both the Arts and Culture Centre and the local library. Now, just over a year later, Franklin: The Centre is ready for opening, and to celebrate, Richard has donated a special piece for the town he remembers so fondly.

Richard was raised in Te Hihi, Franklin, and learnt to sculpt using clay from the Patumohoe farm where he lived. Richard has donated a special bronze sculpture of King Kong for the event.

The piece has been sculpted by David Meng and is one of only two bronzes like it in the world. David has also sculpted a number of King Kong Weta Collectibles, including 'Skull Island Natives'.

?The artists at Weta have made many wonderful things over the years", said Richard, "but I felt this particular sculpture was a beautiful piece of fine art that would complement the artistic aspirations of the fantastic new creative facility that is ?Franklin: The Centre?

Franklin District Council Mayor, Mark Ball, says he is delighted at the gift which yet again shows the generous and creative spirit within Franklin - past and present. ?Franklin: The Centre is a home for those passionate and talented in the arts within the district", he said. "Richard?s gift will hopefully inspire visitors to Franklin: The Centre for years to come."

As well as being a ?home? for Franklin Arts & Cultural Trust and the Franklin Library Trust , the new building offers a library, art gallery and shop, specialist art workspaces, community rooms, possible caf?, outdoor function spaces and a new home for the Pukekohe i-SITE. Along with the old Borough Council Building on the other side of the Town Hall the three buildings make up a new civic area for the whole of Franklin. (This month is also the 50th birthday for the adjacent Town Hall building - nice timing, Franklin!)

The grand opening of Franklin: The Centre starts at 10am, 30 June 2007. All welcome. Everyone is encouraged to attend in their national dress. To learn more about David Meng and his work, check out www.wetaworkshop.co.nz.