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Creative ID: 386

Art form(s): Music, Visual arts
Language(s): English
Based in: Marlborough
Where I'm available:
Marlborough, Nelson – Tasman
Kaikoura
When I'm available: I am available during school hours and school terms.

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

Kia ora, I am an artist and artistic therapist in training who offers artistic wellness programmes and sessions both privately, and in schools through a local trust. I am dedicated to providing a safe, creative and inclusive artistic experience for students of all ages and abilities with the goal of improving wellbeing and gently encouraging connection with each other and with the world around us. I can work with both individuals and groups and use a range of media including watercolour, pastel, charcoal, clay and observational drawing. The sessions greatly benefit all students, and can bring a welcome relief for students experiencing anxiety, isolation, trauma, depression, learning difficulties and those needing support for their emotional wellbeing. 

 

The exercises I use provide a joyful, gentle explorative artistic experience that provides students with a break from life's stresses and give them useful tools that they can continue to use to help manage their wellbeing and build confidence and connection. 

 

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 working as an Art Reach facilitator for a local trust delivering a successful Art Reach Wellness Programme at a local college that has been running since mid-2019. I have worked with a number of groups of students who have been referred to the programme for a range of reasons including anxiety, isolation, insomnia, learning difficulties and more. I am currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Artistic Therapy. I have been a practicing artist and music teacher since my mid-teens.

 

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

I have worked with a number of groups of students ranging in age from year 9 to year 12 who have been referred to my programme for a range of reasons including anxiety, isolation, insomnia, learning difficulties and more. Each group includes six students and runs for a duration of one term. This year will see 5 to 6 groups complete the programme. I have a passion for using techniques and exercises that reconnect people with the natural world around us; through plants, natural objects (shells, feathers, animals for example) and natural rhythms (day/night, seasons etc). This helps us to lift ourselves up and look around us, encourage awareness and interest in the world. I also love to work with story, for example Purakau, through art; encouraging connection with our place, our history, our values, and most importantly with each other. I have been a practicing artist and music teacher since my mid-teens. I teach drums from my home studio and have also worked in schools as both an itinerant music teacher and private music teacher. I also offer children's art classes. 

 

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

I want to part of this programme because I have experienced first-hand the joy, transformation and wellbeing that an art practice and opportunity can bring to students. The home and school environment can be a challenging place for young people, and I believe community support and connection is essential to the wellbeing of our up and coming citizens. I feel strongly that we need to support them, and that the arts can be a highly effective and satisfying tool for all people. It is not a luxury but a necessity. Students are the best teachers. The more I can work with students, the stronger my own connection to the community will become, and the greater my own learning. This will enable me to continue to develop my own practice as an artist and artistic therapist. I also hope that it will encourage others to see this as a viable and useful career.

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