Waipā Creative Conduit creator Alex Wilkinson, right, and gallery manager Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo at Friday evening's launch event. Photo / Dean Taylor
Waipā Creative Conduit creator Alex Wilkinson, right, and gallery manager Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo at Friday evening's launch event. Photo / Dean Taylor
A desire to see artists receive as much return from their artwork as possible is behind a new initiative which opened yesterday in Te Awamutu.
The Waipā Creative Conduit is the brainchild of Kihikihi ceramic artist Alex Wilkinson who has teamed up with Te Awamutu disability provider Enrich+ and gallerymanager, watercolour artist Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo.
The project secured funding of $19,960 from the Creative Communities Scheme which is administered by Waipā District Council.
A community pop-up gallery inside Enrich’s Teasdale Street building will display, celebrate and advocate for local artists.
“It is a way to connect our brilliant and diverse creative community and connect this community with both the disability and the wider general community,” says Alex.
Enrich+ Supported Activities and Supported Employment service manager Shelley Blair said the gallery was already being used to display artwork created by their artists.
Enrich+ has 26 artists currently participating in its supported activities art and craft sessions in Te Awamutu and five in Taumarunui.
Kaumatua Tom Hemara Wahanui blessed the gallery and project at Friday's launch event. Photo / Dean Taylor
The charitable trust supports people with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities to develop their talents, connections and the everyday skills needed to have “a life like any other”.
Showing art is just part of the Waipā Creative Conduit, with evening and weekend workshops where the artists share their skills and offer creative opportunities and every two weeks there is a creative panel discussion.
The first panel discussion is next Wednesday, April 5 at 6pm and is a chance for Alex and Rebecca to tell you about the project and how you can be involved.
“We would also love to discuss how creative people can benefit from collaborations and look into what the next project will be for Waipā creatives,” says Alex.
Workshops range from working with watercolours to creative critique, photography to pottery, journalling to acting and dance to singing.
In all, there are 14 workshops, from one-night classes to six-session series. The first workshops also get under way next week - with all details available at www.thewaipacreativeconduit.co.nz/about/ or by searching Waipā Creative Conduit on Facebook or Instagram.
