While talking about her history, she mentioned an artist-run project she helped with called Cuckoo that heavily impacted on her views both as an artist and as a person.
"We named it Cuckoo because the cuckoo is known for going into other birds' nest when they're not there and using them. That's what it felt like we were doing. We were artists displaying our work without a place of our own, but we made use of what was already there."
That became a theme throughout her career, using what was already available and making sure to ensure the wellbeing of the planet.
Judy told the students that she had been teaching for 30 years in order to lead the life she wanted. "You've got to pay the bills somehow, but whatever you do, you have to keep your passion alive."
That was a constant through all the guest speakers who represented many art forms such as music, painting, dance, poetry, fashion and theatre.
One of the guest speakers revealed Judy had been her Year 9 art teacher and had been the driving force in her continuing to study art and making a career out of it.
The Te Puawai Arts Festival runs until June 28 and has been a great opportunity for the students to meet their role models and show the city what they are capable of.
The arts festival will also include an international performance concert from Hillcrest High School and short films screening from Year 13 media students.
It will conclude with the opening of Ahuru Mowai: House Project, an exhibition that looks at the question, 'what is home?' and students have been constructing models of their interpretations.
