Creative ID: 644
Kapiti Coast
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths):
I am a five-time World of Wearable Arts finalist with a passion for working with recycled materials in order to raise awareness around current environmental issues. I enjoy weaving stories into my practice and bringing people together to form large community artworks everyone can feel proud of. Embracing the thoughts of each individual allowing each person’s voice to be heard through their art is paramount to my work. My focus is on 3D art forms that can be brought to life. I also enjoy supporting people who say “I’m not creative” to help draw out their creative streak, because I believe we are all creative in one way or another.
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:
- 2015 – present: I am currently the coordinator of a local art studio for differently abled
- 2018–2020: Art tutor at a local art school for children
- 2019: Hutt Winter Festival large scale puppet making for parade and video
- 2019–2020: Relief art teacher at a local wellbeing centre
- 2012/2014/2015/2017: Finalist in World of Wearable Arts
- 2013/2014L Ran recycled art workshops for KCDC
- 2015/2021: Kapiti Arts Trail
- 2009–2014: Enviro-Schools local school
- 2016: Recycled wearable arts workshop for children at the Kapiti Community Centre
- 2015–: present Silversmith at local jewellery studio
- 2017: Beginners sewing workshop at the Kapiti Community Centre
- 2015–present: Stone carving workshops
- 2015:Painted plates workshops
- 2015/2016: Careers expos for The Learning Connexion
- 2015: Exhibition The Learning Connexion
- 2016 –2019: Directed and managed exhibition for Art Studio. Education and training; Advanced Diploma Honours in Art and Creativity (level 7), The Learning Connexion; facilitation certificate, Whitireia Polytechnic
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes:
I have been working creatively with children for over 16 years. I have listed above my work experience and would love to add more to that list in working with your school. Collaborative projects that myself and a fellow artist are interested in working on are wearable arts, mosaics (seat, wall) or community display art. I have done clay work, stone carving, sculptures, murals, wearable arts, drawing, creative workshops, sewing, mosaics.
I personally love the uniqueness that each child brings and the magic of how an artwork comes together. The other creative is a very well-known talented artist in our community and together we can bring an abundance of knowledge and creative skills. We also understand the pressure teachers are under so will work in such a way to support teachers in making this creative project smooth and supportive.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice:
I am very keen to collab with my fellow artist and friend to give your school the best of both of our creative minds and experience. I believe creativity is a vital part in expressing oneself and the sooner we support children to find their creative voice the better. I find that creativity can help children cope with many situations where words may fail them. It is a healthy and safe way to express oneself and an extremely powerful tool for children to use throughout the rest of their lives.
There are no rules in creativity and activating and engaging the right side of the brain is paramount to a healthy balanced life. Art also brings people together and allows for connections and conversations. These conversations are had during the art making process and carry over to the viewer. It can be very powerful and fun. I once created a wearable art out of discarded plastic and when it came out on stage the entire audience erupted into laughter. That's what I enjoy, engaging people through art through laughter, curiosity, and deeper connections. If we engage children, we also engage their families and whānau. Then automatically the community is involved. We are very lucky to live in a small community where children can feel safe and seen for who they are and be who they want to be.