About the Spring Holidays Art Programme 2023
This was our fifth art holiday programme for tamariki with a Whau connection.
Over the week 26 kids, between the ages of 9 and 13, learned about the rich histories and environments of the Whau River while exploring a diverse offering of creative activities.
Each child had their own journal which filled up during the week with drawings, paintings and creative writing. Working independently and together, they created a story train which was then written up as a whole piece by talented writer Lucia when she got home. Towards the end of the week, tamariki were asking to come in early to finish off their work before the week was over!
On a day-by-day basis, art activities varied. On Wednesday, tamariki visited Te Toi Uku (Crown Lynn Museum) where they were given the challenge of using clay to sculpt the iconic Swan vase – imaginations releasing a flying cat and a dragon too! There was a Miniatures day using recycled materials and an art tiki tour on foot. Kid discovered hidden sights often overlooked when seen from a car. Public art pieces in New Lynn seen close up included
- “Tokens From the Game” by Peter Lange
- “Transit Cloud” by Gregor Kregar, Sara Hughes, and Davor Popadich
- “Signal-Echo” by Paul Hartigan
and - “Portage / Tai Whakarunga Tai Whakararo” by Warren Viscoe and Bill Mckay.
Students left our programme with an appreciation for the Whau River’s unique cultural, natural and historic heritage, new friends and lasting memories forged by artistic endeavours.
Ara-whiti ki runga, Oro-whiti ki raro
Ara-whiti ki runga, Oro-whiti ki raro
The Bridge exchange above, The Sound exchange below
Kids stretching their creative muscles
Alice Miller-Ibos, Ayla Skelton, Brienna, Dulcie, Eilín Luddy, Ella Campbell, Felix, Hemish Bhatt, Iranui Katipa, Isabel Birkett, Izzy Taylor, James Miller-Ibos, Korowai Lyon-Elzen, Lily Yuan, Lusia Smith, Lupe Luddy, Marco Joe-Pollock, Mayla Ellwood, Myla Skelton, Myla Afu, Olive Galea, Seyan Sudish, Stella Pianina, Tiahuia Wara, Valentina Enna and Walter Gibbs.
Adults leading
Meet our artists who led the creative work on this programme.
Loreal Hettig
“Kia ora! Ko Lori ahau. I am a creative tutu that is based in Kirikiriroa but I was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau out West. I love everything to do with arts community, culture and that magnetic feeling of connection it brings”.
Deahne Stone
“I’m Deahne. People call me D. I’m from Avondale but I’m lucky to be able to work with tamariki making art and creating change in schools around the West. I LOVE creativity, art and making things and I was super excited for us to get creating together.”
Lilo and Jody Yawa McMillan
We are Whau the People! We supported creative programming of the week and supported the team as needed.
Rangatahi assistance
We were lucky to be assisted by teens Nina, Sophie, Mischa and Maia throughout the week. Tamariki loved having rangatahi to learn from, and the teens gained work experience by providing this experience. Thanks to the Whau Local Board for funding this stream of mahi, which helps strengthen, develop and prepare our talented rangatahi for future work in the creative industries.
Te Toi Uku (Crown Lynn Museum)
Thank you to Louise Stevenson and friends at Te Toi Uku is a museum, located in Ambrico Place in New Lynn. on the old Gardner Brothers & Parker brickworks site and next to their original brick kiln. The Museum opened in 2015 and holds a collection of about 6000 objects as well as an archive which includes photographs and designs. The collection mostly relates to Crown Lynn, but also the early brick and pipe industries of West Auckland.
The Rhythm Centre, Kelston
Cheers Brodie Andrews and friends for your rhythm, drumming and percussion, empowering the kids with tools to be heard far and wide!
Photos
Karakia
Lori Hettig, with tautoko from Atarangi Anderson.
About this event
| Date | 2nd – 6th October 2023 |
| Location | Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club, New Lynn |
| Type of event | School holiday programme (Arts) |
| Schools | Arahoe School, Avondale Intermediate, Avondale Primary School, Freyberg Community School, Green Bay Primary School, Kaurilands School, Ōwairaka District School, Pasadena Intermediate, Point Chevalier School | Rangi-mata-rau, Rangeview Intermediate, Rosebank School | Te Kura o Pātiki, Waterview School, Westmere School | Te Rehu |
| Who | 26 students between the ages of 9 and 13. The majority attended full-time and we averaged 20 students a day. Tamariki all had a connection to the Whau River, either by living nearby or through their schools. |
| Why | Whau Holiday Art Programmes connect young local artists with their environment and river through exploring their creativity. |