About

Te Oro resident dancer and artist join
together for a special performance
followed by an artists talk.

Villa will perform his piece 'Gagana Leiloa'
- a 30-minute interactive dance piece
which stems from Villa's fear of losing the
Samoan language for future generations
and invites others who face similar
challenges to actively reclaim and protect
their cultural heritage.

Jim will perform a live carving piece
alongside Villa's performance.

An artist talk with both resident artists will follow
after the performance.

Saturday 22 March 1-3pm

Villa Lemanu

Villa Junior Lemanu is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist working across dance, theatre, film, and other artistic mediums. His work reimagines the overlooked moments of everyday life, highlighting the beauty in the mundane through a contemporary lens. Rooted in a deep love for storytelling, his work often plays with memories and connection, crafting experiences that resonate beyond the stage.

Having performed and collaborated both nationally and internationally, he continues to push his creative boundaries, immersing himself in new artistic practices, disciplines, and collaborations—dedicated to honing his craft and evolving as a thoughtful artisan.

Photo Credit:
Creative Director: Leon Bristow
Photography: Frances Carter

Jim To’o Stretton

Jim To'o Filiva'a Stretton is 30 years old, proudly of Samoan and European descent, and the owner of JS Carvings Ltd. He has been carving for nearly 20 years, but what he is most proud of is his beautiful family—his incredible wife, Naomi, and their two young children, aged three and two.

What he loves most about his carving ventures is the opportunity to reconnect with his Pacific culture and create spaces for others to do the same. Carving is an increasingly rare Indigenous art form, and part of his vision is to revive and celebrate this knowledge, inspiring others to see the importance of embracing their own cultural practices for their overall well-being.

Beyond creating hand-carved pieces, Jim also runs carving workshops, craft unique photo frames and canvases, and shares his work worldwide. But this is just the beginning. His dream is to inspire the next generation of Pacific creatives—showing them that pursuing art and culture can be a successful and fulfilling path.

Jim is deeply grateful for the support of his family and community, and excited to see where this journey takes him next.