Whangārei artist and businesswoman Jessie Rose makes it to the Women of Influence Award finals. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Whangārei artist and businesswoman Jessie Rose makes it to the Women of Influence Award finals. Photo / Michael Cunningham
From a "shady past" to becoming a Women of Influence award finalist, a Whangārei wāhine proves to the world "dream big, you can achieve it".
Whangārei artist and business owner Jessie Rose is also the only woman from Northland to make it to the finals this year, sharing the positionwith seven other women from throughout New Zealand. There are 10 categories and Rose is nominated under the Arts and Culture category.
On discovering she has been named a finalist, Rose said she was humbled, excited and honoured to be listed among such a high calibre of women throughout New Zealand. She is excited to be able to represent the local arts community and Northland as the only finalist in the North.
"This gives me a voice. I love I am able to tell my story and possibly inspire others because if I can do it, anyone can – if you put your mind and heart to something, you can achieve truly great things in life.
"It doesn't matter where you come from or what you have done in your past. Our struggles and hard times in life make us stronger and shape us into who we are. And if you really believe in something and strive for better, dream big, you can achieve it."
Rose is famous in the region for her award-winning, hand-painted caskets, and inspiring art classes, as well as her boutique in Kamo Rd.
The artist claimed to have come from a "fairly shady" past where she, through various situations in her own life, "went down the road of drugs, alcohol and whatnot".
"As a young adult, I spent quite a few times in residential rehab centres in Auckland for drug and alcohol addiction. It wasn't really successful until the last time when I graduated, six months pregnant at the time.
"That turned my life around because I had something and someone to live for.
"I started painting again when my daughter was three years old. But it wasn't until much later in life that I really started to explore art to tell my own story.
"In 2008, I had an exhibition called Metamorphosis and it was a very significant event in my life. That was when I first started to use my art to express myself. Now, I do the same with the kids, encourage them to express themselves through art."
Rose's Creative Art Classes offer 12 art classes in a week, and about 120 students enrolled in each term.
"I had been receiving inquiries from parents for a long time, but I never actually thought I could start an art class as I have no formal training. But then four years ago I asked myself 'why not?'. And that is how Inspire was created.
"The feedback I receive from parents has been amazing. Children growing in confidence, kids who were once bullied, or suffering anxiety problems find the classes refreshing and therapeutic.
"They begin to find themselves and get comfortable in the space I have created for them. I encourage the kids to express themselves through their art, using art to tell a story.
"And this journey has been very impactful for me personally."
There is no single art theme in Jessie Rose's Creative Art Studio. The artist encourages her students to come up with something that has meaning for them. Photo / Michael Cunningham
There is never any theme at the Inspire Art Classes, as Rose encouraged the kids to come up with something that has meaning for them.
"At the end of the term, all the artwork is displayed in an exhibition and there is not a single artwork that is the same.
"They can draw, they can paint, or do a bit of both; this way they are definitely able to express themselves. There is no limitation to what they want to choose to be doing."
Whangarei artist Jessie Rose with her artwork of Pink signed by the singer that was auctioned on Trade Me to raise funds for Kids Can New Zealand in 2018. Photo / John Stone
The prestigious Women of Influence awards recognised women making a difference in the work they do, paving the way for other women to thrive. Many had overcome severe hardships and helped save the lives of others through their work.
Jointly presented by Westpac NZ and Stuff, the awards were now in their ninth year. Nominees were judged on the strength, scope and impact of their actions across 10 categories including Arts & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Health, and Public Policy.
The finalists and winners would be honoured at a Women of Influence Awards gala dinner in Auckland on February 10.
Last year, Rose won the More FM people's choice award, individual business person award, the micro-business award as well as the overall Supreme Award at the Westpac Northland Business Champions awards.
