Key to the kaupapa (purpose) of the Creative Trail was elevating and celebrating as many creatives as possible. So alongside the open studios, there are a range of exhibitions to showcase the many different forms of creativity and provide you with some inspiration!
About the Central Exhibition
The Central Exhibition is one of five exhibitions that will be open on trail day, March 16, 9am-4pm.
There you’ll see the work of 16 creatives, from photography to painting, weaving to sculpture, and more!
Our hope is that you realise just how many and how diverse a range of creative options there are, and that you’ll explore your own creativity.
And if you just thought to yourself “but I’m not creative”, whoa up!
We believe EVERYONE is creative and right now you’ll be doing something that is. We invite you to be open to exploring what you enjoy doing and to realise that’s you’re creativity in action. (and to help you with that, be sure to say “hello” to Ruth when you visit the Central Exhibition)
Meet the creatives who’ll be at the Central Exhibition
Claudia Grutke
As a self-taught painter, Claudia began with the creation of semi-abstract landscape paintings, and more recently, her work has become more introspective and contemplative, and maybe even more abstract. Claudia was able to join us with the previous project The Waipa Creative Conduit and its a pleasure to have her showcasing her work.
Dannika Tukua
Dannika’s artwork is a reflection of her love for New Zealand, its charismatic creatures, and fond childhood memories.
Much of her work represents causes she feels strongly about.
“My art business isn’t just about making money, it’s a platform for giving back to my community.”
Dannika will have prints and original works for sale at the exhibition.
Harley Moore
Originally a painter, over the past decade Harley has developed a love for metal sculpture and hasn’t looked back!
He creates natural forms exclusively using aluminium alloy and rivets. All works are treated so they won’t rust or discolour making them suitable for outdoor displays.
Harley’s sculptures are all beaten, riveted, and polished by hand with no use of patterns so each one is a unique artwork.
In creative terms, Harley is considered a 3D artist.
Alison Lowe
Showcasing ceramic work at the Exhibition is Alison Lowe. Alison describes herself as an “emerging potty pottery person”.
All her life she suppressed her artistic expression, but amongst the twitches and fidgeting, she knew it was waiting to be let out and she’s allowed that to happen!
Kathleen Cederman
Kathleen (Kat) Cederman is a multidisciplinary artist in that she uses different types of materials and processes to create pieces.
Over the years, Kat has dabbled in most arts and crafts but whatever she’s doing, be assured, it always involves plants!
She uses plants she’s grown to make pressings into pottery, cast relief pictures, or presses them to make wildflower pictures.
All of Kat’s pieces are rustic and she likes to keep the colours simple, often only using oxides for slight colouring.
Rebecca Christie
Rebecca has been painting since childhood but has pursued it more regularly in the last few years.
She paints intuitively. drawing inspiration from her garden and the local flora.In her own words, Rebecca is “learning as she goes” and enjoying the creative process. A great reminder that the process can be more important than the result!
Lee Samuel
Its a pleasure to have Lee Samuel exhibiting, as she’s not only a talented artist but is a dedicated advocate ensuring those with disability can access art in the community.
Working from her home studio, she prioritises a person-first teaching approach which creates an environment where anyone can experience art.
Lee’s collaborations and the moments she shares with others each day are inspirations that get woven into her artistic endeavors.
Patricia Win
Patricia has had a keen interest in art since childhood, and in the last 40 years, has consistently painted, selling work in New Zealand and overseas.
Working mostly in oils, her goal is to inject “life” and atmosphere into any scene using colour, light, movement, and textures.
As well as painting, Patricia ran art classes for 15 years, teaching beginner courses, as well as courses in wildlife, landscapes, portraits, seascapes, and flowers.
Nynke Piebenga
Nynke’s love of weaving began in the 70s and has never dampened! She has taught and exhibited her work locally, nationally, and internationally. Nynke’s passion for weaving has also seen her hold various positions with Creative Fibre.
Kimba Allison
Kimba has always had busy hands and found her passion working with clay.
Using the Nerikomi technique along with staining clay, Kimba loves the creative process, whether it’s making tableware or sculptural pieces. She enjoys throwing herself into whatever she’s making and seeing what the result is.
Lea Woutersen
Lea creates a diverse range of paintings including landscapes, seascapes, people, animals, flora and fauna, and abstracts.
No stranger to working with a range of different materials, Lea also makes sculptures and figurines with Powertex and clay (once finished they have a bronze type of look), and she makes gourd art.
Like Kathleen, Lea is a multidisciplinary creative.
Kate Ryan
Joining us with her exhibition ‘half seen’ is photographer, Kate Ryan.
Her exhibition includes a selection of fashion editorial style images that tell the story of those ‘half seen’ in the world.
Kate specialises in bringing everyday stories to life through her day-to-day portraits and crafting narratives in conceptual, avant-garde studio photography.
Te Awamutu Camera Club
Formed in 1954, Te Awamutu Camera Club is a supportive environment where members are encouraged to develop their photographic skills.
The popular camera club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Te Awamutu croquet clubrooms and has members not only from Te Awamutu but Te Kuiti, Cambridge, and Hamilton as well.
Eve Little
Eve is another three dimensional creator (like Harley) and she uses timber for her work.
A self-taught woodworking hobbyist based in Pirongia, she enjoys using applied math to push the limits of her tools, creative abilities, and the natural materials she engages with.
Ruth Foulkes
Ruth is an Arts Therapist and uses the creative process to help people develop their wellbeing. She will have three creative activities at the Central Exhibition for you to try.
You’ll get to experiment with materials, colours, shapes, and patterns – and if you just though “but I’m not creative” this isn’t about what you create, it’s about the process of exploring and observing!
Chat with Ruth if you’re not sure what your creative ‘thing’ is!
The Waipa Creative Trail 