Accessible art in Auckland
25 November 2008 “Toi tu” means to be upstanding in art and this captures the essence of Artstation toi tu’s activities. Making art accessible for all, fostering the arts and making opportunities for participation in the visual arts is what this Auckland community arts centre is all about.
Artstation toi tu has been providing visual art programmes for the communities of Auckland for three decades. Provided by Auckland City Council, Artstation toi tu is located in an historic building (once the Grey Lynn police barracks) in Ponsonby Road.
The building comprises five studios for painting and drawing, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional studies. There is also an exhibition space and offices for arts organisations in this dedicated arts precinct.
When the studios are not being used by Artstation toi tu customers, they are available for hire by individual artists and groups.
The programme
Subject areas covered at Artstation toi tu are art therapy, bookmaking, cartooning, ceramics, contemporary craft, flax weaving, cast glass, interior design, life drawing, mosaics, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture and silkscreen printing.
There are dedicated programmes for children and teenagers as well as preschool and home school classes.
The art activities are run as nine-week courses during the day and in the evening, as weekend workshops and as holiday programmes.
There is an annual summer school as well as year-long courses in painting, cast glass and 360°, an introduction to the visual arts where students work across a range of media.
The 2009 summer school runs from 5 to 14 January and has eight classes on offer, including arts therapy, photography, crafts, sculpture, mosaics and painting.
In 2009, Artstation toi tu is developing visual arts programmes with the themes of youth and diversity.
The Artstation toi tu Gallery is a public space showing a diverse range of exhibitions. The gallery policy aims to provide a professional space for new and emerging artists to exhibit quality work that’s of interest to the wider community.
Artstation toi tu welcomes exhibition proposals. These are assessed by a curatorial group, which meets four times a year.
Come and visit
For further information, visit Artstation at 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton, Auckland. You can also find out more by visiting the Artstation toi tu website or calling 09 376 3221.