Soothing benefits of stone carving

2 August 2010
A Christchurch community trust is helping disadvantaged people create beautiful works of art in one hour from blocks of stone that are millions of years old.

Te Pani Trust is a limestone carving workshop and gallery space in the seaside suburb of New Brighton. It aims to make stone carving and its many benefits accessible to people who face barriers or challenges due to a disability, illness or history of social disadvantage.
 
Groups and individuals attending sculpture classes include people with intellectual and physical disabilities, trauma and accident survivors, and at-risk youth offenders.
 
Trust co-ordinator Cathy Sweet says stone carving has an amazing ability to help people cope with stress and express their creativity.
 
“The Oamaru limestone we use is very soft and you can use sandpaper to make sensual shapes and curves,” she explains. “You can do a lot in a short time with a small piece, and you don’t need a lot of concentration. It can be a very soothing experience.
 
“Some carvers get entranced by the process of shaping the stone. It can be a welcome distraction from a life that can be so stressful and cerebral.”

A career in the arts 

For others, carving and sculpture classes can lead to a career in the arts.
 
The Te Pani vision began nine years ago with limestone sculpting on roadside sand dunes in New Brighton. Today the trust offers introductory and advanced classes to an annual client list of 900. Stone sculptures are sold on site and on most days, visitors can see carvers at work.

Like many community groups facing funding issues, the trust has had to redefine its core goals over the years and learn to balance new projects with sustainability.

“It takes a lot of juggling to keep the place going,” says Cathy. “The Canterbury Community Trust has been a wonderful and regular supporter. Their support has kept the place going.” 

Christchurch City Council has also helped by funding the rent over the past three years, and the trust trades workshop time with tutors, allowing them to work on their own carving in return for extra classes. 

“Our four trustees are also sculptors and tutors, so we can call on them for help with some classes. If there’s a kids’ class, I’ll put on an apron and help out. Everyone gets involved.” 

For more information:
Cathy Sweet
Te Pani Trust, 165 Seaview Rd, New Brighton, Christchurch
T: 03 388 5847
E:
W: http://www.tepani.org.nz