Artists give a helping hand
Pegasus Bay School pupils are preparing for their upcoming exhibition with the help of some seasoned professionals.
Waikuku Artists Incorporated (WAI) has been holding classes once a week to help the budding artists ahead of the Pegasus Bay Art Show, opening on October 7.
Groups of about 10 artists have been taking classes at the school each week for the past month, continuing until the end of term with different volunteers each week.
Principal Roger Hornblow said feedback from his pupils had been positive and all at the school were ’’incredibly grateful’’ for the support of WAI.
‘‘It’s lovely having art as a focus but it’s just as lovely having a whole range of ages coming in.
‘‘We’ve got retired folk right through to mums all sharing their talent, passion and skill. That’s incredibly valuable and it’s also inspiring for the kids.’’
He said pupils’ work had benefited from having different WAI coaches who were passionate about, and had experience in, a range of different mediums.
‘‘It’s not just a hit-and-run, there’s continuity . . . the kids are just stoked.
‘‘The kids who have natural art ability are taking it to the next level, whereas the children that don’t have such a natural ability are still doing work they’re really excited about as well.
‘‘That confidence gaining leads on to the next week . . . It raises their expectations around what they can do.’’
WAI chairwoman Mandy Palmer, whose idea it was for the exhibition as a school fundraiser, said she most enjoyed ‘‘just seeing the kids engage these different art forms, and helping them realise there’s no right or wrong when doing this type of art’’.
‘‘Anything goes, and I think that’s been the key for a lot of these kids – they’ve gone ‘I can’t do art,’ but really they can.’’
WAI had also provided funds for purchasing art supplies for the pupils’ creations, which Palmer said came from WAI’s previous fundraisers and a Foodstuffs Community Trust grant, largely thanks to Robin Brown from Rangiora New World.
The school anticipated about 100 artists would exhibit, from both the school and WAI.
Raymond Herber, from Iron Ridge Quarry near Waipara, will be the guest artist, and will speak at the opening night.
More information at pegasusbay.school.nz/WebSpace/ 1460