Garden art in Te Puke exhibition

5 November 2008
Paintings, papier-maché and mosaics, all based around the theme of garden art, will feature in this year's exhibition on Wednesday 19 November at the Arohanui Art and Education Trust in Te Puke.

The centre’s participants are getting excited about the exhibition, which will showcase their work to family, friends and the public. Art tutor Diane Nesbitt says last year’s exhibition – the first to be organised by the centre – was a great success.

“It was amazing,” she says. “We were swamped with people and a number of the artists sold their work, which was very rewarding for them.”

One of Arohanui’s participants is Nicole, who enjoys painting and is also learning to sew. At the moment, her favourite colours are orange and yellow, and so her artwork reflects that preference.

When Nicole’s mother came to the exhibition last year, Diane says, she was “blown away” by what her daughter had achieved.

Te Puke and Tauranga communities

Arohanui Art and Education Trust was opened in 2001 to provide a service in the Te Puke and Tauranga communities for people with a disability. There are two centres: one in Te Puke and the other in Greerton.

Diane is one of five staff at the Te Puke centre. She estimates that its participants spend one-third of their time at the centre involved in its arts and craft programme. They also take part in activities such as ten-pin bowling, swimming, gardening, volunteering in the community, and personal development and life skill activities.

“For many of the people using our services, the arts are vital to their wellbeing,” Diane says. “Arohanui provides a safe place where they can make art without fear of criticism or judgement.

“Sometimes, people arrive here and they have never had the chance to express themselves artistically. It really opens them up. They start communicating, feel a part of the group and get involved in group activities.

“I’m often amazed at what people can achieve when you give them a paint brush and say they can draw what they like. They’re so proud of what they have done. Their art is very meaningful to them and to their families.”

Diane says that people may start the day in a sad or bad mood, But once they start working on their art, their mood lifts and they become engrossed in what they’re doing.