Creative ID: 192
Grey Lynn, Westmere, City, and flexible about other surrounding areas.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am self-employed. I work with clay as a surface to print on, which can be a bit technical, but also enjoy and appreciate the versatility of clay and its plasticity. My children are grown up now, but when our youngest was at primary school I initiated four outdoor murals which were part of the school walls until recent renovations. I currently run the weekly Clay Group at Auckland City Mission on a voluntary basis. My husband and I created site-specific ceramic sculptures at Auckland University and Hobsonville, and tiles on the bridge at Clarkes Lane. I draw weekly with a group of friends and have done for many years.
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 had many years in the fine art field which has involved teaching, exhibiting, selling ceramics and making public art works:
- Mural, University of Auckland 1979.
- Primary School, four murals between 2004 and 2007.
- Two murals in Hobsonville, between 2011 and 2014.
I have received awards at the Portage ceramics Awards and the Auckland Studio Potters annual exhibition. I had a solo exhibition at a gallery in 2012.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have three children and when they were primary aged I arranged to run weekly art groups from the house to involve other children. I taught night class to adults at a centre for 30 years, and at a college for a number of years until the subsidy on night classes was removed. I taught general art for four years to mid-school age, and was an art technician for 10 years at a college involved with senior school students. When our last child was at primary school, I got involved with initiating art activities and facilitated the students to make the four murals. Themes for the murals were people, growth, a map of New Zealand and a class 'photograph'. I take a weekly group at the City Mission working with clay, adults. Themes for the works out in Hobsonville were communications, cycling, transport, the locality and the history of clay in the area.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
As a self-employed person based at home, I value getting out in the community regularly and engaging with others. When you can see growth in a skill it is rewarding. I enjoy seeing a child’s experience of art without the pressure of conforming. I now receive superannuation, so this would be a way of offering effort in exchange. I am interested in drawing, and find children's drawings stimulating.