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Portobello dolls > Introduction | Inspiration | Te Papa conception | Portobello I | Portobello II | Projects with artists
Portobello I
The initial Portobello project involved 64 children aged 5–12 years. For a full week in the summer of 1997, these children researched, talked about, drew, and painted their stories on the wooden panels that made up the skirt of the doll.
Community celebration
Once completed, the fabulous big 'girl' lived in Kerry's classroom for a month. During that time, Portobello was admired and 'read' by everyone who had been involved in her creation.
A community ceremony was held to celebrate her creation, and she was blessed by a local Kaumatua from Otakou.
Then Portobello was transported to Te Papa in Wellington, where she stayed for four years.
Return home
Early in 2002, Portobello returned to Otago, and had a short visit at Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
When she returned home, Portobello's dress of stories was looking rather tatty and worn out, as you might expect of any well-loved and well-used dolly. Some of the children's artworks on the dress panels were badly damaged.
Te Papa offered further funds for Nicola to create a brand new painted frock for Portobello, either by herself or with another group of children. So Nicola invited Kerry to be involved with the project again.
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