Where art made a difference

The stories in this section are about people who participate in the arts, thanks to the support of creative spaces.

Mixing painting, poetry and music

5 September 2011
Graham Wolf is a man of many talents. A self-taught painter, poet, singer, guitarist and photographer, his first solo show lines the walls of Take 5 & Te Whare Marama’s Lounge Gallery in Lower Hutt until 27 September. View Mixing painting, poetry and music...

From scrunched paper to pop sculpture

26 May 2011
Fraser Hoffe remembers his grandfather, now 89, telling stories and drawing pictures for him. “It was a part of our culture when I was growing up. It was just something he did with his grand kids.” View From scrunched paper to pop sculpture...

Inspired to make art at Pablos

1 March 2011
Judi Jenkins has a long-standing passion for her visual arts practice. She currently uses a studio space at Pablos Art Studio, working alongside a range of artists who attend the Wellington creative space. View Inspired to make art at Pablos...

America beckons A Different Light

12 December 2010
Three artists from Christchurch’s A Different Light Theatre Trust have been invited to perform at the international conference of the Society for Disabilities Studies in San Jose next year. View America beckons A Different Light...

Giving his day a point

22 November, 2010
Painting has given artist and former broadcaster James King a reason to get up, to do something instead of just sitting down in front of the TV. View Giving his day a point...

Jolted, but undeterred

4 November, 2010
It will take more than a 7.1 magnitude earthquake and a barrage of aftershocks to prevent the teenage members of Christchurch’s Jolt Youth integrated dance company appearing in their annual showcase this month. View Jolted, but undeterred...

A life packed in pictures

6 August 2010
Every week in the Christchurch creative space Floyds Creative Arts, Joanne McGimpsey uses paint and paper to communicate a remarkable inner world. View A life packed in pictures...

A passion for collecting

16 June 2010
Dianne Cadman’s workspace at Sandz Gallery and Studio in Hamilton is lined with boxes – as are her bedrooms at home and at her bach. View A passion for collecting...

Wendy Randall: artist and advocate

17 December 2009
A large hessian wall hanging by Wendy Randall, brought to life with the artist’s trademark embroidery, was a feature of the recent Vincents Annual Group Exhibition in the St James Theatre in Wellington. But unlike the other works on display, it was not for sale. View Wendy Randall: artist and advocate...

“Māori art gives me my culture”

23 November 2009
Rawiri Maukau (Ngāti Pourou) has just graduated from Toihoukura Māori Art School at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne with a Certificate in Studio Workshop Studies. View “Māori art gives me my culture”...

Discovering how to dance together

23 July 2009
“I love to dance, especially with Julia, because of the connection we have,” says Melissa Fox. “I also love going to Jolt dance classes on a Tuesday night. It’s a lot of fun and I enjoy meeting up with my friends as well as dancing." View Discovering how to dance together...

Sweeping his brush across the canvas

14 May 2009
Dunedin artist Kelvin Maxwell, who attends Studio 2 once a week, is happiest when he’s got a paint brush in his hand and is sweeping it across the canvas. View Sweeping his brush across the canvas...

“I’ve found my niche”

31 March 2009
"I’m an artist. I also have cerebral palsy. Seven years ago, I discovered Spark Studio in Auckland and have loved finding my artistic streak. I work there as Website Developer and Maintainer. Being employed by Spark Studio and being an artist there is particularly rewarding." View “I’ve found my niche”...

Colourful memories of Fiji

19 February 2009
Kamini Nair likes flowers and vibrant colours because they remind her of her homeland Fiji. Now living in Hamilton, she had her first solo show last year and her work is on display in a Sydney gallery until 7 March. View Colourful memories of Fiji...

“Oooh, it does look good!”

1 December 2009
Mary Vaughan, a student at Real People@Mosaic in Taradale, the Hawke’s Bay, uses common sayings and the New Zealand vernacular to create paintings that feature a variety of everyday non-art materials used in inventive ways. Her work is whimsical, humorous and full of charm. View “Oooh, it does look good!”...

Making art in Westport

8 October 2008
West Coast artist Eldin Johnson just about does it all: writing, painting, pottery, knitting, carving, rug work and tapestry. View Making art in Westport...

Collectible creatures

1 September 2008
Dianne Holtom has been coming to King Street Artworks in Masterton for three years now and says it’s made heaps of difference to her life. View Collectible creatures...

Fun and full of light

5 August 2008
When Adam Larkin is asked what he would like to paint, he often uses a single word to describe an idea, and then chooses the colour he would like to start with. From there, an image evolves - often of planets or lightning. Or it might be images expressing energetic layers of colour. View Fun and full of light...

Colourful exuberance

3 July 2008
It's not easy for Gerald Smith to talk about his art but the satisfaction he finds in painting is apparent in the colourful exuberance of his work at Invercargill's CS Art workshop. It's also there in his smile for the camera and opening sentence in this interview. "I'm very thrilled about my art." View Colourful exuberance...

Kym O’Grady’s journey

4 June 2008
Kym O'Grady always wanted to learn how to draw and paint. In 2003, she began weekly sessions at Visualz Art Studio in Hamilton. There, she began to work seriously on her art. View Kym O’Grady’s journey...

“Don’t worry, be happy”

26 March 2008
"They called out my name as the winner and my parents shouted and screamed because they were so proud of me. I was stunned by the win." Peter Zlatkoff tells his story. View “Don’t worry, be happy”...