Creative ID: 168
Whangarei, Northland, Mid North, Far North, Rodney, Kaipara.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I recently had the pleasure of creating and facilitating a wearable arts/trashion (trash turned into fashion) three-day workshop under a Youth Summit umbrella. The students were provided with five pairs of denim jeans and three t-shirts each. They brainstormed, designed, sketched their design then deconstructed the garments and reconstructed an upcycled garment each which the class then collectively showcased in a fashion show for the rest of the Youth Summit participants. They went on to showcase their creations at two other fashion events – the Bernina Fashion Awards and soon to be at the Hospice Annual Fashion Show. Students of all ages responded well to the concept and expressed a desire for a longer-term opportunity for education in this subject and form. I would like to expand this concept and take the wearable arts/trashion module to schools in and around the Northland area. How this module could be delivered is very malleable – it could be delivered within a couple of hours per week or 1 day per week or even a week-long workshop etc.
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 have run upcycling workshops in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, travelled to Wellington as a designer in the Eco Fashion Runway Challenge, created and facilitated the wearable arts section of Youth Summit which led on to coordinating the Youth Summit showcase at the Bernina Fashion Awards where they also asked me to showcase a range of my own company's garments. I suggested that Creative Northland get in touch with Hospice as a sponsor of the wearable arts section which resulted in the Youth Summit garments being showcased at the Hospice annual fashion show next month (Nov 2019). I will coordinate this and again have been asked to showcase a range of garments from my own line as well as present as a guest speaker. In September 2019 I entered four looks into a Wearable Arts competition, winning two prizes and in October 2019 a painter invited me to create an interactive art installation at her art exhibition this involved nine of my looks being worn as living art.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
Most recently, creating and facilitating the wearable arts/trashion workshop at the Youth Summit with students aged 11–16. Earlier this year I created and facilitated upcycling workshops with both youth and adults. I have also worked as a youth worker and workshop facilitator through Ngātiwai Education. This included an alternative education unit working with youth at risk aged 13–16, one-on-one teacher aide support with a 13-year-old student and taking kapa haka and waiata into a Primary School and Preschools all around Whangarei. I have worked with a group of Whangarei Primary Schools delivering theatre workshops, devising a Māori mythology show which was then delivered at a local venue.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I am passionate about teaching creatives and at the same time, providing education around sustainability and eco-friendly solutions with regards to fashion and textiles.