Creative ID: 657
Hastings
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths):
Art is my passion with a specific interest in painting. I have painted numerous murals for different community organisations, both on my own and supporting children and adults in this creative process. They are displayed around the country. Supporting others to begin a project and work through all the stages, reflect, and refine to completion brings me joy. I love to use art to communicate messages or give voice to a community. For example, I painted a mural for the deaf community. The art I create is to tell stories, break stigmas, and build a more inclusive community.
I use my own iwi (Ngāti Kahungunu) to inspire and strengthen the connection between our whenua and taha wairua. I believe that each individual grows their own wellbeing and hinengaro through the refining of their art work, knowing that to build desired outcomes will take many small steps until the sweet spot is reached. Alongside painting, I use a wide range of mediums: pencil, charcoal, chalk, pastel, and ink.
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 a practising artist creating my own pieces and pieces of art for community groups. Many of my pieces are created and displayed in mental health areas such as hospitals. I have organised several Mental Health Awareness Week art exhibitions and have received recognition from peers, PAG (Partnership Advisory Group), and the DHB. I have also worked in the mental health recovery centres run by Te Taiwhenua and the DHB running art groups with women affected by mental illness. These groups were a fun, social connection. I have designed logos. I have created murals alongside primary school-age children that celebrate events and share cultural connections for enjoyment and wellbeing.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes:
In 1991, I completed a Certificate of Recreation Sports and Leisure, and in 1998 I completed a Bachelor of Education through Massey University. In 2002, I completed a Certificate of Mental Health with a focus on art therapy with CAMS. For a number of years, I ran the art component of school holiday programmes for 5 to 12-year-olds. I have completed a variety of murals supporting children along this process, teaching different drawing, painting, and colour mixing skills.
I began working part time at a local school in 2010 and have worked alongside tamariki supporting them with learning across the curriculum on an individual basis building on learning from their teacher. In 2021 I worked as a volunteer alongside a teacher to run a hauora through art class. Together we have supported socially and emotionally vulnerable children to create pieces of art to communicate their story. Tamariki have worked individually on art pieces that we have used to support their wellbeing. I have been part of the planning, organising, and creating process.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice:
Art provides a way in finding a way out. I am passionate about the welfare of children, and I am passionate about art. When the two go together the potential for learning goes … BOOM! I am a lifetime learner, and all artists help me to link and develop my own creative practice in sometimes surprising ways. It’s by coming together and creating art as a collective that the individual grows bigger. I want to provide support to my school community the best way I know how.
When creating, I am always excited to learn about the subject and delve deep, so the art is meaningful for all throughout the creating process. I am passionate about learning more about my whenua and passing that knowledge to our tamariki through art so that they are able to make their own strong connections. I really believe art gives children a chance to say things they can’t always say with words and often the creating process allows them to share. I am really interested in the Creatives in Schools project because I believe it will make a positive difference to children’s wellbeing.