By JO-MARIE BROWN
Teenage mothers from Rotorua are celebrating their life experiences in art as a way of helping them cope with the challenges of parenting.
Bronzed clay sculptures depicting motherhood are among creations by 27 young mums and will go on display at Rotorua Museum today as part of a three-week-long exhibition.
Barbara Stewart, head teacher of the city's School for Young Parents, said the project had given the teenagers a much-needed confidence boost.
"Some of these girls haven't been to school for a long time ... and the thing about finishing something and being successful is huge because most of them have left school early and never experienced that," Mrs Stewart said.
The school caters for a maximum of 30 students aged 15 to 19 who are either pregnant or have young children.
While they complete NCEA qualifications and other courses, their sons and daughters are looked after at a day-care centre in the classroom next door.
Mrs Stewart said the idea of holding an official exhibition came after the school recently won the youth section of Rotorua's wearable creations awards.
Many of the teenagers have since shown artistic ability despite not being confident about taking risks.
"We've been able to put them in a situation where they have been able to try something without it being a threat and then discovering that, yes, they can do it," Mrs Stewart said.
Melissa Black, 19, said she hated the thought of doing art when the school first began preparing for the exhibition in September.
"Now it's just like a buzz. I can't wait for every day that art is on."
As well as a canvas painting featuring a woven koru, Miss Black has sculpted an image of herself when she was pregnant with her now eight-month-old daughter.
Although it was a personal subject, she said she could not wait for people to see her work on display.
"I'm so excited ... I'm very proud of what I have done."
The exhibition, which is being jointly held with Rotorua Lakes High School, runs until the end of the month.
Every one's a winner baby
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