a liminal gathering

Kia ora koutou, kō Iona Winter (Waitaha) tohuku ikoa. I’m here to ask for your support with a liminal gathering, the 2023 Elixir & Star Grief Almanac. 

a liminal gathering is a loving collection of poetry, prose, essays, photography, visual art and music, from 103 New Zealand based artists, addressing their personal experiences of grief. As an almanac reflects seasons, planetary alignments, the night sky and tips for planting, a liminal gathering creates space for connection to the natural cycles of life and death. 

Elixir & Star Press (ESP*) was created as a side project, in memory of my tama Reuben Winter who took his life in 2020 during the pandemic.  

All expressions of grief were welcomed during our submissions window, since grief by its very essence is a universal experience. a liminal gathering celebrates the destigmatisation of grief, by making it relatable through multiple creative lenses, and to normalise the expression of grief. This book seeks to provide comfort, and act as a taonga to be shared between loving hands, during difficult times. 

This Boosted campaign is to raise funds for: the printing of a liminal gathering (approximately $6,900), to provide a small koha to contributing artists (of $50), and to hold two book launches in Dunedin and Auckland during November. While Boosted is a reward-free platform, there is a platform fee, and the cost for this has been included in our fundraising goal of $14,000. 

Thanks in advance, for your support of this important body of work.  

Mauri ora, Iona 

“The value in creating an outlet for grieving people – both contributors and readers – cannot be overstated. With this in mind, I believe it’s vital to see the rise of Elixir & Star not simply as a mental health resource. The publication is designed as an example of artistic expression, and with Iona’s leadership, will be dynamic in how they approach grief and grief-adjacent experiences.

- Dudley Benson

“By bringing together various forms – poetry, short essay, photography and visual art this collection will offer different and necessary voices in our literary world. With Iona Winter leading this initiative, this will no doubt be a safe space for personal expressions of grief.” 

- Michelle Elvy