Creative ID: 179
Mount Maunganui.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
Art tutor of Creative Art Expression classes for students, teens, and adults. Also an established painter using acrylics and oils with a nature-themed subject matter. Small business owner.
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
- Diploma of Fine Arts at Otago Polytechnic. Diploma of Teaching.
- Taught Art and Art History in secondary colleges for three years in the Wellington region.
- Established a business on the Kapiti Coast a few years ago, offering adult day art classes and after-school art classes during school term time for children aged 8+ through to teenagers.
- Have recently relocated to Mount Maunganui and have set up another art business.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I started doing some mural pieces with groups of primary-aged children at my children's primary school. This led on to several murals with other groups of children at other primary and secondary schools in the Kapiti Coast area. I then decided to set up my own after-school art classes which were for ages 8+ years. I ran holiday art workshops during the holidays from my home-based studio and a local nature reserve. I have set up exhibitions of my students' work at the local library exhibition space and submitted images of completed murals to local newspapers. I ran an art workshop at a school which led on to a publication of students' work in a book. This was a joint project with a gallery in Waikanae.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
As a child growing up in the 60s I loved art, but there wasn't any classes or programmes in the area that valued or encouraged my interest and passion. I used to go and visit an art friend of my mother's and we did creative work together. These were special times. I believe art and creativity feeds the soul, has ability for healing and nurturing and my vision is to make the creative art process available to young children, teenagers, and adults. Setting up my own business has provided the opportunity to develop some workshops and programmes that assist and support this creative approach. I see art as a springboard for inspiration, imagination, and self-development. I aim to be that creative go-to person for children who are like me as a child and seek to be expressive and creative to feel whole.