Latest news updates

Empowering tane to achieve excellence in artmaking

28 February 2023
“I’m an experienced high school teacher and I’ve worked a lot with troubled young people in low-decile schools. I wanted to extend that and use my skills to make a positive impact on men in prison," says Gill Marshall, Educational Arts Tutor at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison. Read Gilli’s blog

The release of making art in prison

28 February 2023
A chance conversation with a fellow prisoner opened a door to The Learning Connexion and the world of art for Ray*, who is part of the therapeutic community at Auckland Prison. During the past six years, he’s produced more than 300 artworks and 16 “Garden Sketchbooks”. No wonder he is known as one of The Learning Connexion’s most prolific creators. Read Ray’s story

Exploring the intersection of the arts and justice systems

28 February 2023
Lia Pikus is volunteering with Arts Access Aotearoa as part of the one-year Thomas J. Watson Fellowship she was awarded in 2021. She started playing the cello when she was seven-years-old and at high school, she became a songwriter. Read about Lia Pikus

Matthew Kooistra expresses ideas in printmaking

24 February 2023
Matthew Kooistra has found the perfect way to express his love for patterns: printmaking. It’s an artform that will be showcased in many of its fascinating possibilities when his first solo exhibition, Stories of the Sun, features in The Learning Connexion Gallery until 15 March. Read Matthew’s story

NZ Fringe show shines light on accessibility

16 February 2023
A group of young Wellingtonians are shining a light on the arts and accessibility – both for theatre practitioners and their audience. Their show, Women Drinking Hemlock, features in the NZ Fringe Festival 2023’s programme and includes audio described, captioned and relaxed performances. Read about accessibility at NZ Fringe

In awe of WAI

8 February 2023
“The Women’s Art Initiative in Palmerston North is also known as WAI, a profound name. In Māori, wai is the word for water. For me, this name evokes images of the shimmering of a light rain against the daydreamy school windows of my childhood; the thundering roar of waterfalls that drowns out all else and everything between. Wai is life-giving.” Read Neil Wallace’s blog

Arts torch shines the way

7 February 2023
Strong, connected communities in cities, towns and rural areas are vital for the ongoing health and wellbeing of their inhabitants. The strength and courage of the Auckland community – made up of many rich, diverse communities – have been demonstrated throughout the devastating floods. Read Richard Benge’s blog