Creative ID: 126
Waiheke and wider Auckland.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
We are two friends who have run our studio as a production business supplying restaurants and the public with designer functional pieces and objects of art for the last 10 years. We design and make everything by hand using moulding, slab and hand building to create differing ideas. Each piece has many individual processes to go through to achieve its own unique character. Natural shapes and colours are important in their inspiration. Our workshop is open and supportive. We hold block course classes for children and adults, private lessons and workshops. I teach ceramics at a small school every Friday and both of us have provided several in-school and in-studio ceramic workshops. Our studio dynamic is great to learn in as it is a functioning production studio as well as a learning space. Natural shapes and colours are important in their inspiration as well as our environment and culture.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- I am currently finishing my diploma in ceramic arts through the Otago Polytechnic.
- I have a BSc from the University of Auckland.
- I have a certificate in teaching English as an other language from Cambridge.
- I have been in several exhibitions.
- I am a mum of a 14 and 16 year old.
- I have studied art history, Māori culture and art history, English literature and writing at tertiary level.
- My colleague has been a professional ceramic artist for the last 20 years. He has worked with many other master potters and has become a wealth of ceramic knowledge and skill.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
- I have been a volunteer and paid ceramic tutor at schools in Auckland over the last 16 years.
- I have taught ceramics at a small school every Friday for the last four years.
- I have designed and delivered numerous ceramic workshops, courses and projects in our studio with children, young adults, and adults. Working with ceramics within the school curriculum has enabled students to express their learning of cultural identity, history, art, science, and maths, through a tactile productive medium.
- My colleague has taught many classes, workshops and is always supporting emerging potters with his knowledge. He is a dad.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
We have always wanted to share the experience of learning ceramics with school students. We think it is a good creative and manual addition to the school curriculum. We have already been providing ceramic learning to the schools around us and feel this would be a format to improve our ability to deliver ceramic art experience to more students.