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    • What’s it like being a political cartoonist?
      • Cartoonist Jeff Bell came to The Learning Connexion after 10 years in journalism and communications. He’d always been interested in cartooning – especially editorial cartooning – but never committed to it. After completing a Diploma in Creativity and Art, he’s now drawing a weekly cartoon for Stuff.co.nz. We spoke to Jeff about his work as an editorial cartoonist, and how The Learning Connexion gave him the confidence to realise his dream. Hi Jeff. You enrolled at The Learning Connexion in 2017. What brought about that decision? I wasn’t satisfied with my career, and wanted to have a real crack at being a cartoonist. I’d got to a point where I was really determined to make a go for it. I’d never studied art before, so it was a big leap. Do you think it was a good decision? It was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Within a few weeks of finishing my Diploma I was drawing a weekly cartoon for the Dominion Post, The Press and all the other Stuff.co.nz newspapers around New Zealand. It was my dream job. The Learning Connexion helped me upskill in areas I needed improvement, like drawing anatomy and painting backgrounds. But it also gave me the confidence to finally believe that I could be a cartoonist. I started approaching editors again – and this time it worked. How did your job with Stuff came about? After I finished my Diploma in 2018 I started approaching editors and art directors with some of the work I had produced in my year of study. But it wasn’t really going anywhere. I would get told my work was good, but they didn’t have any openings, or there wasn’t a budget. On top of that, I was unemployed and starting to run out of money. This wasn’t helped by the fact that a few months earlier I’d booked a trip to Indonesia with my partner. So there I was – July 2018 in Bali – literally on my last few dollars and freaking out about my employment situation. I was starting to seriously wonder if I should give up on my pipe dream of being a cartoonist. And that’s when I got that call from the editor of the Dominion Post. He told me they were looking for a new cartoonist for their Monday paper and would I be interested in stepping in? Ummm yes! That phone call changed the direction of my creative life. I went from being on the verge of giving up my dream of being a cartoonist, to having a cartoon published weekly by one of the biggest media companies in the country. It was quite a surreal change. How are you enjoying it so far? It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I see myself as a real baby in terms of political cartooning. I’ve only been doing it properly now for about two years, and I’m still finding my style, and my voice. But, I seem to be reaching an audience. My work is getting shared, and I’ve had lots of positive feedback – as well as some bad stuff. But I have a platform for my work, and I’m grateful for that. Why is political cartooning your choice of creativity? I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a satirical illustrator. I discovered my bother’s stash of Mad Magazines when I was about eight – I think I was looking for another type of magazine. But Mad captured my imagination, with its satirical cartoons and anarchic humour. I grew up wanting to be cartoonist for Mad or the newspaper – that was pretty much it. What’s your purpose as a political cartoonist? My purpose is to offer a different perspective on issues. I really like bringing humour to things, but it’s more complex than that. I think cartoons can be a platform for constructive anger, for telling stories, making people think and feel. But mostly for me, it’s about looking at issues in an ironic way, pointing out hypocrisy and cutting through political spin. I’m always conscious of that idea of punching up rather than punching down. I firmly believe cartoonist should hold the powerful to account. We function in a similar way to journalists – it’s just that we have the added protection of satire, so we can be more subjective and get away with a lot more. How do you come up with ideas? I’m lucky in some ways I only do one cartoon a week, so I often have a few days to come up with something. I spend a lot of time reading and watching news content. I like to get a feel for what the biggest issues are that week, and then it’s a process of working out which one I care about the most. Then I’ll sketch out some ideas and see which one sticks. I’ll often have that a-ha moment, when I know I’ve hit the idea I’ve been looking for. Do you receive any complaints about your work? All the time. I don’t go out of my way to cause a reaction or create controversy, but in two years I’ve managed to piss off the dairy industry, the gun lobby, Destiny Church, Bob Jones, monarchists, National Party supporters, Labour Party supporters, and plenty of others. As a fairly non-confrontational person it’s been odd. There was one cartoon in particular about gun control that generated a lot of positive feedback, but it was also shared on a couple of gun blogs, and I started getting some really ugly messages from gun owners. There were no direct threats, but I was definitely feeling rattled for a couple of days. How to you handle negative feedback? One thing I’ve had to learn is to tone down my sensitivity. You can’t get too caught up in feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. You just keep doing your job. As artists, I think we struggle with that conflict of wanting our work to be seen, but also feeling very protective of it. But with editorial cartooning you have to let that go and accept that once your work is out there, it’s very open to criticism and push back. How to you find that line between stirring debate and being offensive? That’s an interesting one. I recently did an interview with RNZ where I talked a bit about this. For me it’s about trusting my own instincts and “reading the room”. I think I’m lucky with Stuff – I have a really trusting group of editors, and because of that I’ve never felt restricted in what I can draw about. Have you ever had a cartoon rejected? Only once. It was about another cartoonist, Garrick Tremain, after he drew a cartoon that saw him stood down from The Otago Daily Times. I knew at the time of drawing it might be iffy – not because it was offensive or mean – but because it was a big, controversial issue that week, and I could understand why my editors might be feeling a bit nervous about adding fuel to the fire. The Learning Connexion has made a habit of producing cartooning talent – in 2013 you were runner up to another of our students Cory Mathis in the New Zealand Listener Young Cartoonist Award. Tell us about that? I know right! Cory was a big factor in me coming to The Learning Connexion. He really talked up the School’s illustration classes, and tutor Iain Watt. He was right. Iain’s illustration classes gave me a chance to grow as an illustrator. I was suddenly thinking about how to really craft an editorial illustration and how I might approach editors. I was actually seeing myself as an illustrator for the first time. You graduated with a Diploma of Art & Creativity (Level 5) – would you like to continue your study? I would like to – there’s so much I want to learn. It takes years for cartoonists to develop their own unique style and voice, and I don’t think I’ve quite nailed a consistent style yet. I think doing Level 6 could help fast-track that process, so I’m keen to do it when the time is right.

    • 36 Days Lock-Down Project – The Household Edition
      • By Johannes Mueller-Welschof How does an artist respond to lockdown? By getting creative of course. Johannes Mueller-Welschof, Advanced Diploma of Art and Creativity (Level 7) graduate and Community Liaison at The Learning Connexion, set about on a project turning the everyday into the beautiful. Here, in his own words, he shares the process - and the results. Going from a rather hectic work schedule on a school campus to Level 4 lockdown and working online from home was quite a shock and took a bit of time to settle into. Added to that, a long-booked trip to Europe had fallen prey to the virus and my bubble and I spent instead a couple of weeks of annual leave very much at home. The idea to occupy myself in these strange circumstances with some kind of project emerged quickly and, with the experience of participating in a bunch of 100 Days-projects during the last few years, a 30 Days (plus) version looked pretty achievable. Using photography offered an easy option without needing too many materials and tools, given that most of my art materials were stored away in my now unaccessible studio. As a concept for the photos – given the limitations that lock-down Level 4 presented - I decided to focus on household items right around me as part of my everyday life – many often used, but overlooked in terms of their aesthetic properties. Concentrating on that as a daily task allowed me to take my mind a bit off the constant flow of unsettling news and the feeling of uncertainty of things to come. My approach for the one photo a day was rather impulsive. Each morning I just grabbed items from cupboards, drawers and shelfs, chose a background, arranged stuff and snapped away. The only rule I set, was to limit the time spent on it to maximum 30 minutes including basic editing and upload. I decided to share the daily photo I created each morning on my own Facebook page and one of the TLC Facebook pages to see how fellow creatives would react to my ideas and to encourage them to come in with their own. The response was overwhelmingly positive and other projects popped up to be followed. Having a shared exhibition scheduled in, quite early on my plan was to connect the results of my efforts at the end of the project as a collage, that could be realised as a photo print. Cropping the photos to a square format suggested to go for a number of days, that would allow for a square collage as well – 25/36/49 days. In the end 36 proved to be near enough to the actual end of Level 4. When I started, I had in mind to leave the photos for that collage in the exact daily follow-up I posted them in. Looking at the whole lot I actually decided to give it a good stir-up for a mix that I find more satisfying. Here is the final result.

    • What makes our Study from Home programme so successful?
      • By Jonathan Milne, Managing Director of The Learning Connexion When our Distance Delivery programme began in 1996 the Internet was only starting to take off. When I searched the word ‘Creativity', it would only generate 10 search results, now it’s around 377 million!  Initially the programme began with video tapes, DVDs and notes. But what made this work was the strong interaction and feedback between passionate mentors and students invested in their creative growth. Over the last 24 years The Learning Connexion's successful distance delivery programme has overcome many challenges from technical evolutions to problem solving different methods of delivery suited to individual needs. Our goal is to continue to deliver an exciting experiential creativity programme via distance delivery study whether you have the latest technology or prefer the old school ways - either way, we have you covered. Though these are not ideal times, creativity does thrive in adversity. An advantage we have is that our study from home programme has ironed out the kinks and is highly adaptable to changes such as the present fallout effects of the COVID-19 lockdown. A transferable skill from studying our creativity and art programmes is that it gives you the tools to prepare for uncertainty and ambiguity much more constructively. With the mentorship of our professional staff, all who are sustainable creative practitioners with a wide range of life experiences, you will be supported through your creative journey. It's also why we are happy to announce that we are extending our new Reinvent Your Future scholarship to assist people wanting to study a creativity programme from home. The Reinvent Your Future scholarship is open for all new prospective students wishing to study via distance delivery at The Learning Connexion. It is intended for people impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown who have not previously studied art, and are looking for a new creative direction in their career or life direction. We can’t offer a cure for COVID-19, but we can help you to focus on something worth doing. Artwork by Craig Brewer Find our more about our Study from Home programme here Apply for our Reinvent Your Future scholarship by clicking on the banner below

    • Children's Art Class Tutor: Leda Farrow
      • Leda Farrow is one of our wonderfully creative Kids Art tutors. She works at our vibrant Taita campus, taking the Kids Art Classes, as well as our Kids Holiday Programme. From Monday 18 May she will be running our first ever online Kids Art classes. We had a chat with her.  How long has TLC been running kids classes, how long have you been involved, and how did you get involved in kids art? I first became interested in teaching kids when I worked on a performing arts summer camp in the USA. The camp was great because it allowed kids to find their passion through many different outlets from creative arts to circus performance. While I was there I taught painting, drawing, mural art, 3D sculpture and theatre classes. When I came back to New Zealand I really wanted to bring the freedom and positive energy from the camp into the classroom, which is when I started teaching at TLC. It must be exhausting! Do you enjoy it? Kids get excited about the same thing I get excited about so I don't find it that exhausting. I get a lot of energy from seeing them create and have fun, though being on your feet for the whole school holidays can be tiring. Every class is always different so I enjoy the variety and different energy and wacky ideas the kids bring to it. Tell me about your teaching philosophy when working with children? I believe kids should learn to make mistakes and take risks, which are the key skills for innovation and creative thinking. Art is all about taking risks and finding out what it is you are doing through making. I try and encourage students to find confidence in themselves and in new ideas by giving them variety and allowing them to experiment. We obviously have boundaries and I do set limitations and parameters for them to work within but it is great for them not to have that pressure of trying to make something perfect and to just enjoy the process and see where it takes them. Why does TLC run kids classes? I like to think it is a great service to the community and gives kids and parents some different options for holiday programmes. I think parents do see the value of creativity and see it as part of a child's healthy development and sense of self. Why is it good for kids to learn art? That is a big question that I could write a whole essay on. I think the main benefit is for them to learn how to express themselves. At a more existential level I think art has the power to be transformative and helps us see ourselves and the world in new ways. When we create it is kind of like a mirror reflecting our innermost self back at us. It can give us clues as to who we are and where we are going. I think more practically it allows kids to have a healthier relationship with themselves and encourages them to take risks and make mistakes which in turn helps them to become more resilient as adults. I also think the younger generation is going to need to be innovative and not be afraid of going against the status quo if we are going to solve some of the challenging issues facing us in the future. Do you get good feedback from the kids? It is hard to get kids to fill out feedback forms as the feedback can vary hugely but many of the kids in our holiday programme come back every term. Some don't want to go home at the end of the day and some who come for the whole holiday programme, for example, get really excited to find out what the next day's activity is. So it is normally very obvious when they have had a good time. Her students enjoy the freedom to find out what they are passionate about. They get the chance to create a variety of different art activities, including kinetic sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking to name a few. Leda uses unusual ways to engage her students, finding creative ways to 'mix it up' in the classroom and keep the art playful and fun for all of the kids. As an artist in her own right, Leda has worked in wide range of media with her main focus on being animation, multimedia, and puppetry. She has a fascination with trying to combine theatre and art together.Her studies in the arts at Massey University (Wellington) include a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours in 2011, majoring in Installation and Performance Art. In 2009 she studied at  UC Berkeley, where she took courses in sound and video art and, in 2011, she worked with Bread and Puppet Theatre, a political puppet theatre company based in Vermont, where she learnt the art of animating objects and constructing large scale puppets.   Her love of teaching began long before TLC's art classes, completing her Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Education at VUW in 2013. She then went on to be an art tutor at Camp Pillsbury, a performing arts summer camp for kids in America.She also works as a set designer for Manawatu Summer Shakespeare, which she has done every summer since 2012 and, as a special effects artist for BodyFX.  Leda would like to encourage students, young and old, to keep their art playful, to try new things and enjoy the process of creating, as much as the young students in her class do. Find out more about the Kids Holiday Progamme here

    • Teaching in Lockdown: Keri-Mei Zagrobelna
      • Entering a new job at the beginning of a nationwide lockdown is something Keri-Mei Zagrobelna can now add to her CV. The Learning Connexion’s new mentor – who is also an accomplished contemporary jeweller – has started at an extraordinary time, but is finding lots of positives. “From a teaching perspective, it is very different, but I’ve found that with the technology now available that I am still able to deliver direct feedback, real time communication, video tutorials and communicate with my students almost immediately as if we were in a classroom environment,” says Keri-Mei. The Wellington-based artist says The Learning Connexion (TLC) is the ideal environment for a transition to online learning. “TLC has been teaching distance delivery for a while now, so I am lucky that the system is already set up. I also feel that in some ways, I am able to deliver more effectively to my students as I can tailor the tuition and information specifically for their needs without too many external distractions.” Keri-Mei says she is hoping to help students find their own unique voice through art, just as she did. “I spent a while in my youth travelling throughout New Zealand and dabbling in art and craft, but I avoided taking it seriously due to a lack of confidence and courage. It wasn’t until my mother passed away that I had the epiphany. I had to go to art school and make it happen – life was too short to have regrets.” Keri-Mei works out of her studio making and exploring object/jewellery art as a means of understanding cultural uniqueness and diversity. “I predominantly work with metal-based materials and stone, but I have been exploring other materials and means of visual language.” Her whakapapa is to Te Ati-Awa and Whanau-a-Apanui and she is also of Polish and Pākeha descent. Much of her work is underpinned with Māori philosophy and cultural narrative. “If people make a cultural connection to Māori Tikanga through my work, then I’ve achieved in building a connection. If they just enjoy the work for the craftsmanship and aesthetics, then that is great, too.” She also uses European techniques and a range of mixed materials. “In this way, I feel that I can connect with cultures other than my own, in a visual and technical sense drawing them into my work.” Keri-Mei’s work is gaining international recognition – in 2015 she travelled to Slovakia to represent New Zealand in the World Art Games. She was selected by Creative New Zealand to represent New Zealand in the Aotearoa Delegation that travelled to Guam for the Pacific Arts Festival 2016, and in 2018 she travelled to London to exhibit with the Handshake Collective. As for the future, she has been selected as part of the Aotearoa Delegation for The Pacific Arts Festival 2021 in Hawaii. Keri-Mai says mentoring her students through their creative journey during lockdown has encouraged her to reflect on her own practice. “I’ve forced myself to explore things I might not otherwise do such as take my drawing outdoors. The lockdown has also caused me to slow down and just be. Many of my exhibitions have been postponed or cancelled so when I otherwise would be working to tight deadlines I am now able to reflect and place more time into research, process, planning and considerations on where I want to place my time.” She says the lockdown, while disruptive, has presented her with an opportunity to reassess her creative practice. “It gave me the time to tidy my studio space and take stock on what materials and tools I have available to create with and challenge myself design-wise within these limitations. I believe that great learning can come from overcoming obstacles and challenges and lead to results you might not otherwise consider.” You can see Keri-Mei’s work at her Instagram 

    • Reinvent your future: Creativity and Art Scholarships for study at home
      • The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art has announced a new, one-off scholarship to assist people wanting to study a creativity programme from home. The Reinvent Your Future scholarship is open for all new prospective students wishing to study via distance delivery at The Learning Connexion. It is intended for people impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown who have not previously studied art, and are looking for a new creative direction in their career or life direction. “We can’t offer a cure for COVID-19, but we can help you to focus on something worth doing,” says Jonathan Milne, Managing Director of The Learning Connexion (TLC). The scholarships will cover full tuition costs and are open throughout the lockdown period, and until further notice. There are 50 scholarships available. The School’s well-established distance programme has seen a massive surge of interest in recent weeks. On Friday 27 March, the second day of New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown, TLC had 391 people visit their Distance Delivery page, up from an average of 30 across all of February and early March – a massive 1203 per cent increase. “It makes total sense that more people are thinking about studying from home,” says Mr Milne. “We’ve known for a long time the value of creativity in contributing to peoples’ wellbeing. There are a lot of people feeling anxious and uncertain about things at the moment, so art is providing a form of therapy, routine and optimism.” TLC offers a flexible and supportive study from home option for students anywhere in New Zealand. Distance delivery allows students to learn to draw, paint, sculpt, design and create from the comfort of their own home and receive one-on-one tutoring from one of TLC’s skilled mentors. Mr Milne says the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has been a distressing time for people, with lives and livelihoods disrupted, and physical and mental health under severe stress. “Studying creativity at your own pace and in your own environment does wonders for your mental wellbeing,” says Mr Milne. “Hands-on experimental learning is proven to enhance problem-solving skills, while also reducing anxiety.” “TLC is particularly keen to help people who have always wanted to explore art and creativity, but never had the chance. Sadly COVID-19 is going to be a big reset for many peoples lives. Many of our students are already people who have chosen us after leaving behind other careers.” "Some will be thinking of switching careers, or pursuing their creative dreams. We really want to help with that,” says Mr Milne. TLC will review all applicants, with funding awarded at the School's discretion. For more information on distance delivery and the Reinvent Your Future scholarship, click here. Ready to take control of your future? APPLY NOW

    • Graduate profile: Saturn Murray
      • Saturn Murray would have been graduating this week at The Learning Connexion 2020 Graduation ceremony. Instead, they are in lockdown like the rest of us. We caught up with the New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) graduate about their work and inspiration. Why did you come to The Learning Connexion (TLC)? A few people suggested it to me. Mostly teachers. When I was in high school I would try to avoid thinking about the future as much as possible, that’s still true today though... I knew that I wanted to go to some kind of school for art, and so many people suggested TLC that I just decided to go. Before I came to TLC I was living with my parents, in New Plymouth. So last year I moved to Wellington, and went to live with a friend and his family in Petone. I came to TLC to meet like minded people and expand my practical art knowledge, and now I don’t want to leave! Tell us about your work - you do a lot of cartoon/comic type stuff - do you mainly see yourself as an illustrator? I don’t feel like I’m quite an illustrator yet! But maybe one day, I hope so. Comics are very fun, but the ones that come naturally to me, I feel, are quite awkward, and messy. It’s annoying that I have trouble with crisp line-art and complex plots, but it’s nice, and I hope it resonates with people. How has your work developed since starting at TLC? Looking through my old sketchbooks is always interesting. Seeing phases I went through. I feel a lot more comfortable with painting than I did at the beginning. I also feel a whole lot more comfortable sharing my work with people. What kind of art or artists inspire you? I read manga and play visual novels in my free time mostly, so that inspires me a lot. If I like something enough I’ll draw multitudes of fan art for it. My favourite artists are Sachiko Kaneoya, and an artist who goes by @nereidere on Instagram. What did you like about Level 4? Level 4 is great because it really leads you into the deep end of your art. You do so many different things in certificate class, and it’s rare that a student doesn’t resonate with at least one thing the class does. I was going to skip Level 4 and go onto 5. But I’m really glad I didn’t. I feel like my art wouldn’t be where it is today without level 4. Was there any class in particular in Level 4 you enjoyed, and if so, why? I enjoyed Dan Wilkinson's class the most! Life drawing was very new and exciting for me, and I enjoy the chilled out atmosphere of his class. Where does your inspiration come from? Games and comics have inspired me to create things, but lots of my inspiration comes from friends, family, and personal experiences. I care lots about my friends and I want them to be a part of the things I create. But sometimes it’s nice to just make something about me, by myself. So would you like to create your own games and comics? Have you created any favourite characters who you think could make for a good story or series? I have a multitude of characters that I’ve created throughout the years. I hope to publish comics one day, but I have already created a few games that are now published. They can be found and downloaded here.  What else about TLC do you like?  It is a very supportive environment. I’ve met a lot of like-minded people, and all the tutors are very nice and helpful. Just the atmosphere of the whole place is very positive and is just a lovely place to be. You are carrying on this year with a New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 5). What would you like to achieve in Level 5 and beyond? I would like to create more finished things to share with people :) Would you like to share some of your favourite work with us? Feel free to add some links to any work online that you are proud of

    • Graduate profile: Saturn Murray
      • Saturn Murray would have been graduating this week at The Learning Connexion 2020 Graduation ceremony. Instead, they are in lockdown like the rest of us. We caught up with the New Zealand Certificate in Creativity graduate about their work and inspiration. Why did you come to The Learning Connexion (TLC)? A few people suggested it to me. Mostly teachers. When I was in high school I would try to avoid thinking about the future as much as possible, that’s still true today though... I knew that I wanted to go to some kind of school for art, and so many people suggested TLC that I just decided to go. Before I came to TLC I was living with my parents, in New Plymouth. So last year I moved to Wellington, and went to live with a friend and his family in Petone. I came to TLC to meet like-minded people and expand my practical art knowledge, and now I don’t want to leave! Tell us about your work - you do a lot of cartoon/comic stuff. Do you mainly see yourself as an illustrator? I don’t feel like I’m quite an illustrator yet! But maybe one day, I hope so. Comics are very fun, but the ones that come naturally to me, I feel, are quite awkward, and messy. It’s annoying that I have trouble with crisp line-art and complex plots, but it’s nice, and I hope it resonates with people. How has your work developed since starting at TLC? Looking through my old sketchbooks is always interesting. Seeing phases I went through. I feel a lot more comfortable with painting than I did at the beginning. I also feel a whole lot more comfortable sharing my work with people. What kind of art or artists inspire you? I read manga and play visual novels in my free time mostly, so that inspires me a lot. If I like something enough I’ll draw multitudes of fan art for it. My favourite artists are Sachiko Kaneoya, and an artist who goes by @nereidere on Instagram. What did you like about the New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4)? Level 4 is great because it really leads you into the deep end of your art. You do so many different things in Certificate class, and it’s rare that a student doesn’t resonate with at least one thing the class does. I was going to skip Level 4 and go onto 5. But I’m really glad I didn’t. I feel like my art wouldn’t be where it is today without Level 4. Was there any class in particular in Level 4 you enjoyed, and if so, why? I enjoyed Dan Wilkinson's class the most! Life Drawing was very new and exciting for me, and I enjoy the chilled out atmosphere of his class. Where does your inspiration come from? Games and comics have inspired me to create things, but lots of my inspiration comes from friends, family, and personal experiences. I care lots about my friends and I want them to be a part of the things I create. But sometimes it’s nice to just make something about me, by myself. So would you like to create your own games and comics? Have you created any favourite characters who you think could make for a good story or series? I have a multitude of characters that I’ve created throughout the years. I hope to publish comics one day, but I have already created a few games that are now published. They can be found and downloaded here.  What else about TLC do you like?  It is a very supportive environment. I’ve met a lot of like-minded people, and all the tutors are very nice and helpful. Just the atmosphere of the whole place is very positive and is just a lovely place to be. You are carrying on this year with a New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 5). What would you like to achieve in Level 5 and beyond? I would like to create more finished things to share with people :) You can check out more of Saturn's work on Instagram.

    • So… what’s it really like studying art from home?
      • Distance learning student, Jacqueline Siegenthaler first embarked upon her love of learning by studying art & creativity from home through The Learning Connexion. After graduating from TLC in 2011, Jacqueline has continued her studies, becoming a tutor herself helping to teach stone carving to people with special needs, and is currently working on her Masters. We went and asked her a few questions about what it’s really like studying art through distance learning.   So Jacqueline… Where were you based when you studied with The Learning Connexion? Hawkes Bay, in a very small village by the sea, nestled between Napier and Hastings. Tell us about the art scene there. Hawkes Bay has a lively art scene with lots of galleries that feature local artists. The Hastings City Art Gallery invite artists to enter the biannual East Show, (which is a great opportunity) and the Council regularly commission sculptures. The Napier Creative Community Funding Scheme is available once a year for local artists. In fact, I was lucky enough to get a grant through them to fund a sculpture project!       How did you find studying art from home? Studying art from home offered me the ability to study and produce work at times and on days when it fitted in with my creative flow, in my own time and around family life. The flexibility of distance delivery study was perfect. I could work for hours at a time, or for a very short time, depending on 'where I was at', independent of fixed classes or timetabled lectures. As I live out of town, not having to drive to a campus was a real bonus and I saved on petrol costs and on the time driving there, not to mention this was also better for the environment! What was your experience of the distance delivery option that The Learning Connexion provides for its students?  TLC’s distance delivery program is really well thought out and set up. For someone like me who is not very computer literate, I found it really easy to connect with other students, follow TLC’s regular news blogs and listen to art podcasts. The videos sent to me and the written information provided was brilliant. The first courier sticker supplied by TLC also made sending my work in really straight forward, especially as I could get the courier guys to pick it up directly from my home.  TLC's programmes are centred on a student’s personal creative goals and briefs. How did you find setting your own goals and working towards them? “I absolutely loved TLC's student centred approach!” Setting my own goals and creating my own briefs was fantastic. I could explore areas of my creativity that I had always wanted to explore, rather then being limited by set and provided for study options. Some of my ideas and goals ranged from designing my own studio, to revamping clothing, to doing a 'mini' apprenticeship in marble stone carving. I found it very exciting having these individualised opportunities.        How did you find working with a mentor as part of your distance study?  For me, it was really important to feel that my mentor was in tune with where I was at, and with my work. All of my mentors were absolutely fantastic at TLC! I loved that I was able to fill in a questionnaire each semester about what kind of feedback worked for me. This is such a brilliant way to match a student with the right mentor. I'm definitely a person that thrives on straight up/direct/blunt feedback and throughout my study I definitely had the perfect mentor for my type of personality. Your mentors are available via phone or email to answer any questions you might have between feedback sessions so I never felt ‘distant’ or that I 'missed out' compared to onsite students. Having such fantastic mentors throughout my studies really inspired a continual love of learning.  What aspect of TLC’s programmes did you find most engaging? I found each programme had its own dynamics that really benefitted me in getting to where I am now. Diploma (NZQA level 5) was great for exploring various mediums and tuning into what disciplines I felt I was good at – or – not so good at. I rediscovered my love of drawing and decided that I probably might not end up being a painter. Diploma Honours (NZQA level 6) pushed me beyond my usual art practice and I explored creative areas I hadn't experienced before, like exploring design, fashion and sculpting. Diploma, Advanced (NZQA level 7) was where I felt I really had a break through. Nothing I've ever learned can compare to that year. I found that my habits of creating were turned upside down and I truly found 'new feet' to stand on.      What was the most valuable thing you learnt through your art study at TLC?  The most valuable thing I learnt was: if you have a training provider that has a real passion for, and knowledge of creativity, learning becomes super fun and is extremely rewarding. You will achieve great outcomes on multiple levels: intellectually, emotionally and physically. I also learnt how creative experiences become integrated and can transfer across into everyday life, and other fields of work or further studies.   How have you continued with your art practice since graduating from The Learning Connexion? After graduating at the end of 2011 with a Diploma of Art and Creativity (Advanced) and a love of learning, I went on to study a Graduate Tertiary Teaching and Learning program through Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, graduating in 2013. During those two years, I focused on adult education, applying my creativity within that sector. In 2014, I began studying a Master of Design by Project with Unitec in Auckland. Since then I have produced new artwork, all of which is build upon the foundation and is a continuation of what I learned and discovered during my Advanced Diploma at The Learning Connexion. My Master's Thesis is: 'An investigation into the physicality of paint and its structural integrity by applying the techniques of crochet and knitting'. Some of my work is currently exhibited in the a & e Gallery in Napier and I will look at the possibilities of entering some pieces into local and national competitions.  I can recommend Distance Delivery with TLC to anyone who would like to study art from home. We are really lucky here in NZ to have such a fantastic International Art School and the TLC Distance Delivery program can be studied from anywhere in the world!      Photographs by Sarah Horn.  Want to study art from home? Want to study creativity and art from home like Jacqueline? To find out more about TLC's programmes and distance delivery download a prospectus.    

    • Autumnal Change Celebrated through Art
      • Autumn represents change. The air is crisper, the leaves turn golden and begin to fall. Autumn reminds us that just as the seasons change, our bodies, minds, and surroundings are always developing. The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art is celebrating the season of change in their latest student exhibition Autumn Journeys. “All of our students at the Learning Connexion (TLC) are on their own creative journey,” says Johannes Mueller-Welschof, Community Liaison Facilitator at TLC. “From Certificate level right through to the Advanced Diploma of Art and Creativity, our students always speak of the development and transformation they see in their work, so it feels fitting to celebrate that change in this, our Autumn exhibition.” With over a hundred works of art from TLC’s onsite and distance delivery students, the exhibition presents a diverse collection from across the creative disciplines, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, jewellery, illustration and photography. “TLC has a proud history of developing artists who think outside the block, and take creative risks. If you love art you don’t want to miss this. If you are curious about what TLC has to offer, and how we could help with your own creative journey, then this is the time to visit our campus,” says Johannes. Autumn Journeys opens on the evening of Thursday 2 April at TLC’s campus in the lush native bush of Taita, in the Hutt Valley. Autumn Journeys – an exhibition by the students of The Learning ConnexionOpening Thursday 2 April 2020, from 6pm-9pm. Exhibition open - Friday 3 to Sunday 5 April from 10am-4pm. The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art, 182 Eastern Hutt Road, Taita, Lower Hutt.  Painting (top image) by Mark Peck, New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 6) Ceramics by Christine Winbush, New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 6) Poster artwork by Sebastien Nicholas Jaunas, Advanced Diploma of Art and Creativity (Level 7)

    • Songlines
      • A new exhibition at Thistle Hall in Wellington features staff and students from The Learning Connexion.  Songlines features the work of Robert Franken, Aaron Frater, Dan Wilkinson, Liz Millar, Mark Peck and Suzanne Willis.  Songlines Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street 25 February - 1 March Opening: Tuesday, 25 February 2020 at 5pm Song Lines. When one throws a pebble in the water, the ripples travel on beyond being still visible to the naked eye. This exhibition is inspired by the echoes of a Nikau forest. Trees and pagan rights and spirits are all connected. This is the base of this series of the works collectively and yet has its own individual stamp on it. For the “Is and Isn’t" are closely connected. Like day and night. Dawn and dusk are the letterbox in the day. Where night slips into the day and vice versa. 

    • Surprising herself: from Police to Portage Awards
      • Police work might not seem an obvious pathway to artistry, but it’s worked out well for Upper Hutt ceramic artist Helen Lenihan. Before arriving at The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art in 2013, Helen had spent 12 years working for the police, both in Counties-Manukau and Wellington, the last seven of those years as an Intelligence Analyst. “I was in need of a break and came across an advertisement for The Learning Connexion (TLC) in a magazine. I had always been creative but didn’t have any fine arts experience or training and knew I wanted to learn by doing, rather than learning art history and theory.” Beginning with a New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4), Helen has studied part time and completed each level available at TLC. She will graduate with an Advanced Diploma of Art and Creativity (Level 7) in April. After initially experimenting in drawing, mixed media and printmaking, it was not until she discovered ceramics in Level 5 that she found her calling. “Initially I struggled to come up with creative original ideas of my own – it felt as though every idea I came up with had been done before. However, I persisted and now I have so many ideas I'll have to live to 150 to be able to try them all.” Helen uses ceramics, mixed media and found objects to produce work that often references human emotional responses to the world around us. She says her artwork is inspired by the relationship between memories, emotion and the passing of time, and calls her style Contemporary Nostalgia. These themes informed one of her most recent works, ‘688’ (pictured below) which was chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Portage Ceramic Awards. “Being a finalist in the Portage Awards has been very encouraging. It was great to know that someone else – in this case well known Australian Ceramicist Merran Essan liked my work enough to include it in the finalists.” 688 was on display in Te Uru Gallery in Titirangi for three months, giving Helen exposure in Auckland's art market. It is one of eight pieces she produced for her Level 7 graduate exhibition. The remarkable work includes 688 handmade and smoked clay tiles. “This particular piece relates to suicide,” says Helen. “688 is the number of New Zealanders who took their own lives during 2017.” Helen has seen her confidence as an artist grow since beginning study at TLC. “By the time I got to Level 7, I was more confident. I had had a couple of group exhibitions, had ceramic work in a Greytown Gallery and a small solo exhibition in the Expressions Rotary Gallery in Upper Hutt. I was comfortable making things I liked and enjoyed the processes I was already familiar with.” She says Level 7, under the direction of her mentor John Cornish, took her creativity to the next level. “I wanted to work outside my comfort zone and push myself into working differently. I found the first six weeks or so difficult because it required me to stop making an expected outcome and just explore the material. After a while though I found it very freeing, I didn't have to produce a finished product, it was more like play which was contrary to the way I always worked.” She says Level 7, with its focus on experimentation, has changed the way she works as an artist. “I use more repetition, simpler finishes, I work on a larger scale and the work has a meaning and a narrative that is mine.” “It (Level 7) gets under your skin and changes your thinking without you realising it and you get to share in the warmth and knowledge of John Cornish and Peter Adsett, which is invaluable for anyone wanting to pursue life as a maker/creator.” Want to Surprise Yourself? Enrol now at The Learning Connexion – you can start any time of the year.

    • Information about Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
      • In January 2020, Chinese authorities confirmed a new type of coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from the World Health Organization. Current status There are no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in New Zealand to date but the likelihood of importing a case is high. The risk of an ongoing outbreak in New Zealand remains low, but the Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation closely. If any public health measures are needed for this virus, the Ministry of Health will advise. For up to date information, please refer to the Ministry of Health website Preventing the risk  Everybody should follow the following basic principles to reduce the risk of getting an acute respiratory infection or passing it on to others: regularly washing hands (for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap and dry thoroughly) covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze staying home if you are sick avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms if you feel unwell you should avoid public gatherings and events  cleaning surfaces regularly (when infection is suspected). Go to the Ministry of Health website for more information about preventing the risk: Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) guidance – Ministry of Health. Staying home If you need to stay away from your education provider because you are at risk of infection for 14 days, this means avoiding close contact with other people as much as possible. The Ministry of Health is strongly encouraging people who are staying away for the 14-day period, as a result of their travel to China, to register through the new dedicated 0800 number specifically for health-related calls about coronavirus (call for free on 0800 358 5453). Go to the Ministry of Health website for further information on staying home: Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) information – Ministry of Health. Key contacts Healthline Healthline has set up a dedicated 0800 number specifically for health-related calls about coronavirus. The number is 0800 358 5453. Or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453. The Healthline existing number 0800 611 116 is still the main number to call for non-coronavirus health concerns.

    • Hands-on will change your life
      • By Jonathan Milne, Director of The Learning Connexion The success of our recent Summer Skills shows that hands-on skills are more relevant than ever – something we’ve known for a while. In fact, at The Learning Connexion, we are certain that a hands-on approach can change your life.   You are a bundle of amazing skills waiting to unfold. The best news is that it can take a split second to get a vital insight. The hard part is that it requires maybe 10,000 hours to become an expert. When students work with experts they get a better sense of what this means. The insight isn’t the end – it’s a beginning. Sometimes the need for skills gets overridden by the urge to do something new and intuitive. To really grow your creativity, you need a blend of inspiration and steady persistence. They sound like opposites but really they’re partners. When we get into the habit of paying attention to nature (which includes other people!), we begin to realise that most of the secrets of creativity are in plain sight. Role models and supporters can make all the difference – especially during the fragile stages when you’re a beginner. One of the purposes of TLC is to help students navigate the bumps and to be patient with the development of skills. New technology can be captivating and immensely useful. It’s even more valuable when you treat it as an addition to your took kit, rather than an end in itself. When you relate technology to old skills and knowledge you open the door to great possibilities. The value of ‘hands-on’ has been obscured by the distraction of digital media. Hands-on engages mind, body and imagination. It can be almost shocking, after a year or two of practice, to realise that the simple process of ‘doing’ can have a profound effect and will change your life.  

    • Summer Skills sizzles
      • The Learning Connexion's first-ever Summer Skills ran from 21 to 24 January, giving people a taste of TLC's hands-on approach, and some wonderful work to take home. Our workshops in Jewellery Enamelling, Leather Work and Knife Making were buzzing all week - what a way to start 2020! Some photos from Summer Skills:  

    • Bringing back grace
      • Two Wellington artists from The Learning Connexion recently explored the concept of grace, and its use overcoming the challenges life throws at people in times of adversity, judgment, illness and death. A State of Grace ran from 29 Jan – 8 Feb at Wellington’s Potocki Paterson Gallery, featuring paintings from Sela Brass alongside ceramics and bronze figures of shadow and light from Libbie Persico, all with grace as a central concept. The exhibition’s theme stems from experience. Libbie (pictured at work, right) has recently taken over personal care of her mother, who is in a wheelchair after facing the challenges of cancer for the past four years. She also lost her 15-year-old niece to cystic fibrosis. She says she sees grace in the way people face up to these sorts of devastating life events. “Grace is not a word we use, and we need to express it. We need to bring it back,” says Libbie, who has recently completed a New Zealand Diploma of Creativity (Level 6) at The Learning Connexion. “People think of it as a religious sentiment. But I connect it with the moment of dying. We often want to run away from it. But it’s a part of all our lives, and we all have to deal with it. Grace is a way to look life in the face. A state of grace is to accept life. It’s a choice.” While her art features religious imagery such as crosses and the snake, these are used as powerful symbols of grace witnessed in life rather than religious objects. This can also be seen in Revelation, a series of bronze faces that makes a spectrum between nearly all there and nearly all gone, intended to confront people with ideas of nothingness and being only partially here in this world, raising questions of where we begin and end. Sela Brass also practices grace in the face of adversity. A Distance Delivery student through The Learning Connexion, she is regularly hospitalised due to a debilitating neuroimmune and photosensitivity condition that means she often paints in the dark, or in hospital. She says the essence of grace for her is in living a good life despite these challenges. Many of her paintings feature finding grace in isolation as a central theme. “I consider myself fortunate. Because when else would I – a privileged white woman in her 50s living in Wadestown – have experienced what it is to be stigmatised. I don’t like it at all. But I’m blessed to experience it because when else would I have understood what it means? “Disease can be heavily contested and stigmatised. If you have it, it infers that you have weak character. Watchers have an opinion but nothing personal at stake. In a way, the people there to help you can be a barrier. Sometimes the only thing that can get you through is practising grace.” A lot of her painting is done in hospital, in the dark, with a torch, which means her paintings can take up to a year to paint. Sela also uses natural materials in her paintings, so a work like The Others (pictured left) is made up of more than 100 layers of ash and stone and pigment and paint. Both artists say grace comes as a product of hardship, something that affects everyone no matter how close or far away we are from it. Libbie says it’s not just a word, but a way of life. “There’s so much out there that people have to deal with – and they can still have a good life.” A State of Grace is on at Potocki Paterson Gallery, 41-47 Dixon St, Wellington from 29 Jan – 8 Feb.

    • Making their mark
      • Two talented street artists from The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art have combined their creative forces to take out a top prize in the annual Resene Mural Masterpieces competition. Jayden Thomas and Aidan Walbaekken have won Best Community Mural for their work Parklet @ Waterloo, which was commissioned by Hutt City Council. It’s a great end of the year for the two who are fast gaining a reputation for their striking work around the Hutt Valley and Wellington. For Jayden, the opportunity came when he was approached by Aidan, who had already done some mural work for the council. “This was my introduction to working with the council,” says Jayden, who recently completed a New Zealand Diploma of Creativity (Level 6) at The Learning Connexion. The job involved painting two planter boxes in central Lower Hutt, and the ground around it. After working through their brief and ideas for the project, writing up material quotes and other admin, the two set about creating their masterpiece, which tells a story of diversity and community in the Hutt. “We had full creative freedom on each planter box, and we did one each,” says Jayden. “The mural has a lot of native and indigenous flowers to cultures that make up our country and show the diversity within our community. The branches on Aidan’s planter box and the water on my planter box show how we’re all together and bound by a root-like system. It also pays homage to the Hutt river as it’s an important part of the Hutt Valley.” The abstract green shapes on the ground surrounding the boxes were part of the council’s brief, and tie the whole thing together. “At the end of the day we are all different, but we are all the same. That’s what community is.” On top of the creative, Jayden says there were a number of professional elements involved in the project that proved challenging. “It took way longer than we thought. Things like weather, and the fact Aidan has a full-time job and I’m a full-time student.” In addition to a cash prize, the two won some paint from Resene, and have secured themselves future projects with the council, something Jayden is excited about. “Getting paid for it was awesome, but, the opportunity to get another job with the council, that’s what I’m really stoked about.” Through this work with the council, Jayden was also able to get a job painting the Soul Shack food truck in Wellington. Jayden says the council project was intimidating, but made easier thanks to his collaboration with Aidan. “I really enjoyed the whole process of collaboration and learned a lot. I think I’ve grown a lot, just from this one project,” he says. “Aidan is a massive influence for me. He’s in the position where I would like to follow in his footsteps. Heaps of the professional stuff I’ve learnt off him – I feel like we both bounce really good ideas off each other. In the future, I’d definitely love to collaborate with him more.” He also cites the mysterious Block Vandal as an inspiration. “It’s really awesome and it’s so cool to see how much support he has got from the community. It brings a smile to people’s faces, and you know, that’s what art is all about.” Jayden, who is finishing up at The Learning Connexion says his two and half years at TLC has been massive for him as an artist, and enrolling was one of the best decisions of his life. “The day I stepped into those grounds, was the day my life changed pretty much.” He says the Learning Connexion has helped him develop his skills, building on the foundations he had laid while a graffiti artist, and exposing him to many other forms of creativity. Jayden, who has previously talked about art helping with his mental health says the support from students, staff and his mentor at TLC has been of huge help to him. “It really helps me stay focused, especially with bouncing ideas and getting feedback. It’s amazing here – the resources, the networking – you can’t get that anywhere else I feel.” He says Level 6 has helped his growth into a sustainable artist. “I think like really reaching out to people, and trying to get jobs and stuff. I’ve gained more confidence this year and started to really believe in my craft. I’ve also been really trying to use the platform of Instagram, to promote myself as an artist.” In addition to street art, Jayden is also a budding photographer. He is passionate about youth awareness, mental health and community development. “I just want to keep doing what I am doing, especially if it can help other people”. You can see more of Jayden’s work on his Instagram account The Flow Burrow.  

    • Expert Jeweller brings rich history to The Learning Connexion
      • Looking for a beautiful way to start the new decade? As part of The Learning Connexion’s Summer Skills, expert designer jeweller Sally Laing will be a running a workshop on the art of jewellery enamelling. The four-day workshop is your chance to work with one of the industry’s best practitioners and create your own works of art to treasure for a lifetime. Sally, who is originally from England, has over 30 years’ experience teaching and practising enamelling in New Zealand and Europe. She specialises in the art of vitreous enamelling, a process that involves fusing powdered coloured glass on to precious metals. “One of the wonderful things about enamelling is that through its intrinsic beauty, a complete beginner or child can get great results,” says Sally. “At the same time, someone might spend a lifetime developing ideas expressed through enamel.” Sally says during her workshops she guides people to achieve knowledge and confidence through simple test pieces that they can then use to develop their own ideas. “I have taught all ages and abilities and have ‘tricks’ that help people achieve happy results at whatever level they are at. Enamelling is a time consuming process that requires concentration and patience, but is not really difficult until a person has a difficult idea to express.” Sally’s contemporary jewellery has featured in exhibitions in New Zealand and across the globe. Now based in Taranaki in the seaside town of Oakura, she draws inspiration from the colours, textures, patterns, and forms of the region's natural environment and wildlife to create her distinctive pieces. “I spent my childhood appreciating nature, and the beauty of detail in it. I do not believe in waste, and try to make beautiful things that will be treasured, that might help people notice detail, and appreciate the fragile.” She credits her grandmothers for planting the seeds of her own career in creativity. “Both grandmothers were creative and between them, they taught me to sew and knit at a very early age. Particularly my maternal Grandmother was a real stickler for neat sewing, and said the work was only good if it looked great on the wrong side – technique was important.” Training in England and Germany, Sally eventually discovered the art of enamelling - and has been hooked ever since. “I found I could attain wonderful colour on metal, with so many ways of expression it would take a lifetime to explore. It was also easier to pack tools and equipment for jewellery and enamelling than for large scale work.” Her first New Zealand work was made with tools she brought in a backpack when visiting New Zealand in 1991, with no intention of staying. She’s been here ever since. Sally says she has seen a recent rise in popularity of hands-on craftwork and creativity, as people rediscover skills their grandparents had. “I get a real buzz seeing evidence of the younger generation taking old skills and old machines and making them work in a contemporary way. New generations are re-discovering enamelling and metalwork with the advantage of new technology sometimes helping them achieve very different work.” Sally Laing’s Jewellery Enamelling workshop is part of The Learning Connexion’s Summer Skills. Taught by some of New Zealand’s leading contemporary artisans, Summer Skills is a four-day event running 21 to 24 January 2020 that will take your skillset to new levels in knife making, jewellery enamelling or leatherwork. It comprises of three specialised boutique classes run by experts in their fields, utilising the Learning Connexion’s studio resources based in the beautiful native bush near Taita Gorge in the Hutt Valley. “Summer Skills celebrates the rise of craft and the creative processes of the modern artisan. The classes are about hands-on creativity, tapping into the history of each craft while working towards creating your own unique piece of functional art,” says Kiran Gandhi of The Learning Connexion. Whether it’s through jewellery enamelling, leatherwork or knife making, this is a rare chance to learn some wonderful old-school techniques with a contemporary twist. The classes are suitable for beginners and those wanting their skills tested. For more information and to register, visit www.tlc.ac.nz/summerskills

    • 8 Key tips for artists from Lisa Walker
      • Renowned New Zealand jeweller Lisa Walker (pictured right, with TLC Jewellery tutor Hanne Eriksen Mapp) offered some important advice to students at The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art, at their end of year exhibition: Keep making. Walker was guest speaker on the opening night of Summer Explorations, The Learning Connexion's final student exhibition of 2019 - and a celebration of 10 years of student exhibitions at TLC's campus in Taita. "I've been showing and exhibiting my work since the early 1990s and have made a living at it," said Walker to the crowd who gathered at the opening. "And here's some things I'd like to pass on to you, especially those of you who have come to the end of their time here at The Learning Connexion: 1. Keep making - top of the list. Keep thinking, talking, observing.  2. Time - try not to have too much of it filled up with money-making jobs. I know that's bloody hard. The aim should be well-paid part-time work.  3. Visit exhibitions - all the time, and travel far outside where you live to see exhibitions that interest you.  4. Join, or get a great workshop or studio and fill it with like-minded mates. Your friendships with other artists are a precious thing.  5. Plan an exhibition - put pieces in a shop, or gallery. Show people your work. Get it out there.  6. Make a publication of some kind. My first one was a handmade, photocopied little catalogue made many years ago, and perhaps that's my favourite of all the books I've since had published.  7. Go for it with social media. See what happens.  8. Most important of all - make good work.  TLC tutor Dan Wilkinson was impressed with the diversity of art on display at the exhibition, along with its increased scale across the campus. “The vision was to see the school opened up and shared to the community, that demonstrated what a wonderful creative institution we are,” says Dan. He says the exhibition had created a real buzz around campus. “It’s been exactly a decade of exhibiting at our campus in Taita and this, for me, was one of the strongest yet with its depth and breadth.” To view some photos from the exhibition opening, click here. 

    • Summer Skills offers chance to supercharge your creativity
      • The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art has launched a new creativity summer school taught by some of New Zealand’s leading contemporary artisans. Summer Skills is a four-day event running 21 to 24 January 2020 that will take your skillset to new levels in knife making, jewellery enamelling or leatherwork. It will comprise of three specialised boutique classes run by experts in their fields, and utilise the Learning Connexion’s studio resources based in the beautiful native bush near Taita Gorge in the Hutt Valley – a great location for Summer. “Summer Skills celebrates the rise of craft and the creative processes of the modern artisan,” says Kiran Gandhi of the Learning Connexion. “These classes are about hands-on creativity, tapping into the history of each craft while working towards creating your own unique piece of functional art.” Whether it’s through jewellery enamelling, leatherwork or knife making, this is a rare chance to learn some wonderful old-school techniques with a contemporary twist. The classes are suitable for beginners and those wanting their skills tested. “Summer Skills offers a safe, hands-on, four days of fun guided by experienced tutors,” says Kiran. “Make a treasure you’ll value for a lifetime and create a summer memory you’ll want to share with friends and family.” About the Summer Skills Tutors and Classes Sally Laing – Jewellery EnamellingTaranaki designer jeweller and enameller Sally Laing has over 30 years’ experience teaching and practising enamelling in New Zealand and Europe. She specialises in the art of vitreous enamelling, a complex process that entails fusing powdered coloured glass on to precious metals. Her enamel and sterling silver contemporary heirloom jewellery has featured in exhibitions in New Zealand and across the globe. Now based in Taranaki in the seaside town of Oakura, she draws inspiration from the colours, textures, patterns, and forms of the region's natural environment and wildlife to create her distinctive pieces. People who attend her four-day Jewellery Enamelling Workshop will learn the process of jewellery enamelling, and produce their own piece of unique jewellery. Enamel is a specialised kind of glass that is applied to metal (copper or silver) and then fired in a kiln. “We will make a number of pieces which can be made into ear rings, pendants or brooches, exploring the use of transparent enamel on fine silver and using cloisonne wires and fine silver or gold foils,” says Sally. “Come and make some lovely, unique gifts for yourself, or a loved one.” Tim Mills – LeatherworkTim Mills has been working with leather since 1974, when he made his first leather belt. Initially teaching himself, he gradually moved on to more complex projects including, bags, wall hangings, decorative projects, motorcycle accessories, chessboards, and furniture. He currently works from his studio at Nautilus Creative Space in Owhiro Bay, Wellington. Tim’s work has appeared in many art exhibitions within New Zealand, and he is a member of the Association of New Zealand Leather Artisans. His work has been established with the domestic and export markets. As an experienced tutor, he is keen to share his knowledge with aspirants of leathercraft, both young and old. He combines a friendly approach with an in-depth knowledge of, and passion for leather. People who attend his four-day Leather Workshop can expect to design and make items such as knife sheaths, journal covers, wallets, belts and sandals - take your choice. Dennis Berdinner – Knife MakingDennis is an experienced knife maker, with a life-long passion for sculpture and creativity. For the past 15 years, he has been passing his knife making skills on to hundreds of people as a well-respected tutor at The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art. "I am always amazed at how quickly they have been able to work with a design they have drawn up and then transform a piece of car spring into a purpose made tool," says Dennis. "Their delight with their handiwork is a thing of beauty too." People who attend his four-day Knife Making Workshop can expect to learn how to develop a design, and use this to transform a piece of spring steel into a functional knife for use in the kitchen, by forging and grinding. "Slicing a tomato with ease is a beautiful thing," says Dennis. "A super sharp edge and a well-balanced knife makes all the difference when it comes to prepping food for a dinner or a picnic. I enjoy cooking and so teaching myself to make knives had a fairly primal motivation." For more information and to enrol click here For expressions of interest contact us at ps@tlc.ac.nz or on 0800 278 769

    • Huakina, last days!
      • ‘Huakina - to open’ is in its last week! Don't miss the chance to check out our unique group exhibition before it closes - and pick up a beautiful piece of art for yourself. Get in quick as there are some fantastic creations still available by the likes of artists John Walsh, Nigel Brown, Shane Hansen, Sean Duffell and more. The proceeds from the Trade Me auction go towards Victim Support. Huakina is curated by The Learning Connexion working in conjunction with Corrections and marks an important milestone in our whanaungatanga, the positive effects of art-making and the benefits of sustaining creative wellbeing. The works in Huakina consist of guest artists, The Learning Connexion staff and Prisoner students. Each have come together for a common theme, to transform the idea of a box; whether it’s a vessel, a challenge, a storytelling medium, a platform to illustrate topical issues to an opportunity to inspire new visual languages. Be in quick, Huakina comes to a close on Sunday 1 December 2019 and the Trade Me online auction closes 9:45pm 28 November 2019. Simply type in ‘huakina’ in the Trade Me search bar to find it.

    • Mysterious Street artist with creative Connexion
      • He’s taken social media by storm, and now the mysterious street artist known as Block Vandal has revealed he has a special connection to an art school in Lower Hutt. Established in 1988, the Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art (TLC) has been based in the bushes of Taita since 2009. It’s made a habit of producing artists who think outside the block – and can add another identity to the list. “I am actually one of you!” revealed Block Vandal when we asked about his background. “I studied at the Learning Connexion a few years ago and felt that it was a pivotal point in my life. Thank you TLC! You have moulded my creative skillset massively!” TLC has been at the centre of creative life in the Hutt for over a decade. Block Vandal’s mission to bring “child friendly street art” to the Hutt resonates with the School’s philosophy of hands-on creativity, and “drawing out” rather than stuffing in. “The best thing about studying at TLC was that they offered a diverse team with a range of skill sets. This meant that I was able to reach beyond my comfort zone with confidence that I was well looked after,” says Block Vandal. Block Vandal was happy to share some of his latest work with us – work that has gained local and national attention – and delighted kids – both young and old. His Lego-inspired art is transforming a drab retaining wall at the foot of Wainuiomata Hill in Lower Hutt into a colourful local icon. What was your inspiration for the Lego art? Why did you choose that space? “I have seen this retaining wall whilst driving home over the last couple of years and was thinking ‘those blocks look like Lego heads!’ I finally built up the courage and decided to paint one a couple of weeks ago…” Your work is creating quite a buzz – what’s been the response so far? “The response has been very positive! The colourful work is having a positive impact on children and adults alike. I have people offering material costs to help the project along as well which are lovely gestures.” Some people are calling you the Hutt Banksy - what do you think about that? “I don’t feel as though I am deserving of that title, however I can see how the mystery behind the artist is causing this perception!” Can we expect to see more of this around the Hutt? “I would love to extend this work and its purpose. This project has blown up so quickly that I am unsure how to move forward, but you can bet that I will continue trying to beautify our community and make our people happy through art making!” What's your goal with this? How big do you want it to get? “My goal is to bring the community together and give them something that makes them happy. I think the point of difference with this project is that I am activating the space as opposed to just painting something on a wall. The other great part of this project is that it is a slow burn. I have 100 bricks to paint if I paint the whole wall. Two a week would mean that this project could last a while! This project is already far bigger than I could have imagined.” What's involved in creating them? You must have a lot of paint?? “I have created most of these by myself. I had a fellow artist create one of these on the other side of the wall. I have some materials from previous work which is helping me to not reach into my pocket too much! Josh Briggs from the Hutt City Council has been a great point of contact. The support and advice offered from him has been invaluable.” The Hutt is a small place - has anyone worked out your identity? “I have a lot of friends and acquaintances that continue to message me, attempting to make me spill the beans! My family know and support the work that I am doing which is lovely.” Are you being paid for this? Is it an ad for the next Lego movie?? “I am not being paid for this. I want this project to be more about the community and less about the artist. I have had a few generous people offer funding for materials. I hope that LEGO can see the promotional value to this project! They are a big scary corporation!” How do you feel you are contributing to urban art? “It’s hard to say with the size of urban art globally. I think if I am not contributing to the art form, I am certainly trying to bring it to our community. I hope that I am inspiring young minds and bringing the community together in a positive way.” Has there been any negative pushback? “The other morning I had somebody throw paint all over the mural. I have fixed the damage quickly to not give the culprit the satisfaction. This negative act has led to a positive force of community members coming together in support of the project.” What would you say to anyone thinking about enrolling at The Learning Connexion? “If you have the urge to create, be it big or small, I encourage you to enrol. TLC’s point of difference is a caring team that will help to nurture your skillset and support your journey." Block Vandal's work can be seen on his instagram account block_vandal_

    • Action learning and creativity
      • By Jonathan Milne, Director of The Learning Connexion Creativity is a balancing act. On one side is experimentation and openness; on the other side is technique and repetition. Big businesses often take a production-line approach – like workers on a conveyor belt who endlessly repeat their allocated task. Little businesses (including artists who want to sell their work) usually have to be much more experimental as they search for a niche in the marketplace. Creativity requires both dimensions. Music is a good example. Pianists practice until they can remember every note without having to refer to sheet music. Mechanics and doctors know complex routines that become almost automatic. ‘Technique’ is a sort of deep memory that develops through practice. Bad habits are patterns that have been learned so well that they prevent creativity. Memory connects with a combination of ‘doing’ and ‘theory’. Schools are still largely based on the belief that theory comes first. Unfortunately, this is an excellent way to establish bad habits. It’s easy enough to put the practice first. For example, if you want to learn representational drawing, you will most likely become very good if you practice for a mere 15 minutes a day for the next 100 days. There’s guidance in my book GO! The art of change (starting on page 49). If you want to move beyond technique and into creativity you can use the same process to draw or paint a hundred works in as many ‘styles’ as you like. If you work on it you’ll find your way into the creative thinking that lies behind every art ‘movement’. To begin with, it’s fine to mimic the styles. You can relate to any theme you like (faces, landscapes, buildings, plants, technology … the list is endless). Once you get going the challenge is to evolve ideas. Can you find your way into a zone that is new (at least for you)? The drawings are by Katharine White. She was exploring ways to illustrate ‘GO!’ with inspirations from her amazing cat. If you do a hundred, then it’s likely that you will go through some phases. Perhaps, ‘This is a stupid idea, why did I start? It’s sooooo boring!’ ‘Mmm, that was interesting, let’s try some variations.’ ‘OMG what a mess that was!’ ‘WOW! This could be taking me somewhere.’ The emotional roller coaster is part of creativity. It takes you towards a zone in which your general flexibility (as opposed to ‘general intelligence’) will be stronger in any situation. It requires time, practice, a sense of humour and some faith that it will take you somewhere. Have fun!

    • Summer Skills
      • SUMMER SKILLS TLC’s Creativity Workshop Week 21 – 24 January 2020 Tutors: Dennis Berdinner – Knife Making. Sally Laing – Jewellery / Enamelling. Tim Mills - Leatherwork The Learning Connexion is proud to present Summer Skills! This four-day event in January will take your creativity to new levels in knife making, enamelling and leatherwork. Through a series of specialised boutique classes run by experts in their fields and utilising our unique natural environment and resources, you’ll have a chance to supercharge your skills – and create your own new personalised works. Summer Skills is about hands-on creativity, tapping into the history of the craft and creating your own unique piece of art. Whether it’s through jewellery enamelling, leatherwork or knife making, this is a rare chance to learn some wonderful old-school techniques with a contemporary twist of creativity. Enjoy a safe, hands-on, four days of fun guided by experienced tutors. Make a treasure you’ll value for a lifetime and create a summer memory you’ll want to share with friends and family. Meet our Summer Skills Tutors Sally Laing – Jewellery / Enamelling Taranaki designer jeweller and enameller Sally Laing originally hails from the United Kingdom, where her creative side was influenced by her grandmothers, who were both "makers". Even though she began her working life as a nurse, her innate desire to create caught up with her and she left nursing to study art and design. "I did my foundation course to try and get it out of my system but in a very short time I figured that was what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life." Laing went on to study three-dimensional design in metals and train in Germany and England. Since then she has specialised in the art of vitreous enamelling, a complex process that entails fusing powdered coloured glass on to precious metals. Her enamel and sterling silver contemporary heirloom jewellery has featured in exhibitions in New Zealand and across the globe. When Laing moved to Taranaki she created her own haven, of sorts, in the seaside town of Oakura and has drawn inspiration from the colours, textures, patterns, and forms of the region's natural environment and wildlife to create her distinctive pieces. People who attend her sessions can expect a chilled vibe where they can unleash their creative talents and produce their own piece of unique jewellery in silver and or enamel. Dennis Berdinner – Knife Making Dennis is a member of the Sculpture Symposium Trust and tutors students in the techniques of sculpture. Sculpture is a life-long passion. He has been sculpting for as long as he can remember and works with soft and hard stone, wood, metal, snow and ice. His art draws on two sources: the external coastal environment where he lives and the inner world of his own imagination. Dennis likens creating sculpture to a mirror of his awareness and a process of self-revelation: “Through my work I explore my relationship with time, place and people”. The scale of his commissioned work ranges from hand-held netsuke-like pieces (miniature sculptures invented in 17th-century Japan), through to desk sculpture and larger work for outdoor spaces. Pieces that function as family heirlooms, gifts, adornment and indoor/outdoor installations. Tim Mills - Leatherwork Tim has been working with leather since 1974, when he made his first leather belt. Initially teaching himself, he gradually moved on to more complex projects including, bags, wall hangings, decorative projects, motor cycle accessories, chessboards, and furniture. He currently works from his studio at Nautilus Creative Space in Owhiro Bay, Wellington. Tim’s work has appeared in many art exhibitions within New Zealand, and he is a member of the Association of New Zealand Leather Artisans. His work has been established with the domestic and export markets. As an experienced tutor, having tutored at Southland and Nelson Bays Polytechnics, he is keen to share his knowledge with aspirants of leathercraft, both young and old. He combines a friendly approach with an in-depth knowledge of, and passion for leather. Please note, this will be a ticketed event, with limited spaces. More details to come. For expressions of interest contact us at ps@tlc.ac.nz or on 0800 278 769.  

    • Dreams to reality for Estelle
      • Returning to the Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art after a 20 year break has proven an inspired decision for Lower Hutt artist Estelle Cainey. Estelle completed a New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 6) in May, and since then has been concentrating on her biggest creative venture – opening her own art gallery in Wainuiomata Inspire Art Gallery’s most recent exhibition From Dreams to Reality featured student work from The Learning Connexion, and was the manifestation of Estelle’s vision for the gallery, as a place to showcase the varied creative talents of Lower Hutt artists in particular. “I’ve opened up Inspire Art Gallery because I really want to showcase and support our local community – there is significant talent in our artist collective.” From Dreams to Reality featured the work of a diverse group of seven emerging artists from TLC: Melissa Burtenshaw, Leilani Smith, Annalese Hume-Kinzett, Miggy Javier, Mark Peck, Christine Winbush and Emma West. Estelle originally studied at The Learning Connexion in the mid to late 1990s, after leaving an unfulfilling sales job. She discovered a passion for photography, which she has continued, but it was not until 2018 that she decided to fulfil the creative promise she made to herself two decades earlier. “I woke up one morning with an idea. I needed to run an exhibition. But I didn’t have anything to put in it. I needed that energy and colour back in my life – I needed to get back into my art. In early 2018 I also had a health scare and knew it was time for a positive reset in my life.” Enrolling in Level 6 at TLC was the positive reset she was looking for, and now Estelle runs the gallery in conjunction with her spiritual healing facilitation practice. (Estelle is New Zealand’s first Qualified Fractology Practitioner, has a Diploma of Life Coaching and is also a Reiki Master/Teacher). When she finds the time, Estelle also continues to explore her own artistic ideas through painting and photography. But right now, the focus is on her gallery and spiritual practice. “The Gallery is an oasis to relax and enjoy soaking in the art works, the area of Homedale Village offers so much more to see and do, as the area goes through a cycle of rejuvenation,” says Estelle. With future exhibitions at the gallery booking up fast, Estelle says she’s enjoyed combining her artistic and business sides. “I’m an entrepreneur so it’s just really plying my business skills to something creative. I’ve really enjoyed it from a business perspective, but also from a nurturing perspective because I love working with people and watching them grow in confidence with their own creative work.”   Estelle says The Learning Connexion is the perfect place for people who are ready to make a creative change in their life. “I think TLC is a great springboard for people to uncover their creativity and immerse themselves into art.” “It was life-changing for me when I enrolled in the 90s, and then again when I came back in 2018. As a result, I’ve had the courage to open up an art gallery. So whatever qualification someone has from TLC, when they leave I think that it gives them the confidence and the courage to move into something they’ve always been afraid to dive into – it takes them to another level.” Inspire Gallery - 129 Main Road, Homedale Village, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt. Ready to change your life? Enrol at The Learning Connexion for 2020

    • Creating a Monster
      • Since giving up his government based desk job and studying at The Learning Connexion (TLC), artist Leo Semau hasn’t looked back. Now a mentor at TLC, Leo is passing on his creative skills to others. But he still finds time for his own creations and has been doing some amazing stuff with super sculpey lately. We had a chat with Leo about what drives him as an artist. Why are you an artist? Because it’s super trendy - everyone in Wellington is either an artist or a musician! Some people just seem to have a compulsion to create and communicate visually – I’m one of those people although I’ve never figured out exactly where that itch comes from. I’ve found I have to be making something on at least a semi-regular basis or I start to transform into this weird grumpy anxious depressed version of myself. So mostly I think I’m an artist for the sake of my own mental health! How has your own art evolved since studying at TLC? I was exposed to such a wide range of disciplines, mediums, styles, processes and approaches while I was a student at TLC, so I think the biggest evolution in terms of my own creative practice has been developing the ability to appreciate different ways of communicating ideas. I still make representational art and I still appreciate and try to display a good level of craft and technique in my work, but now I’m also aware of so many other approaches I can draw from, such as the play between concept and material. I also started out pretty much replicating the art I liked and now I tend to be happier to let my work develop along its own path. What’s your preferred medium? I really like sculpture and working with tactile materials – clay, plasticine, Super Sculpey, wax. I’m fortunate in that I moonlight as a foundry assistant at The Heavy Metal Company, so I get to work on some really cool large scale bronze sculptures and restoration projects which are always interesting and inspiring. Tonnes of sand and molten metal – that’s my ideal combination of art and exercise! Are there any recurring themes in your work? I always seem to come back to the human figure, and geometric cultural patterns. I enjoy playing with ideas from mythology and sometimes some pretty deep and dark psychological stuff. But sometimes I just enjoy goofing off and being silly with my art. The last set of work I made were some cartoonish monster movie characters for Halloween. Sounds cool, tell us about these monster characters? I did them on a whim to get some practise in. I hadn’t made any Super Sculpey figurines for a while, so with Halloween coming up it was a chance to get my hand back into it. Each one took a couple of nights each. I use an aluminium wire armature, pad it out with a bit of tinfoil, then build the Super Sculpey onto that. Why monsters? I’ve watched monster movies since I was a kid so I know these characters pretty well! I like that you can look at them both ways. You can either be terrified by them – it’s the thing you run away from – or it’s the thing you relate to. We can be scared of the monster who’s going to chase us, or we can relate to the outsider, the thing that isn’t understood. For me, it’s both. It depends on my mood and what the story is. What do you see as the role of the artist in society? These days there’s so many things that can be “art” and so many reasons people make art.  I think of artists like mirrors in that we reflect our environments and experiences - the things going on around us or within us. But I think artists largely choose the role or roles they each play in society – some are comedians, social commentators, storytellers, historians, philosophers, subversives, champions of the status quo, keepers of tradition, challengers of tradition, explorers, prophets, encouragers, agents of reconciliation, provocateurs. You work as a mentor at The Learning Connexion – what’s the most important advice you give students? I think emphasising the importance of consistency and work ethic. I’ve seen so many very talented students be overtaken by less naturally talented classmates simply because the less naturally talented person had the stronger work ethic – they turned up consistently, persevered through difficulties, and kept chipping away at their creative goals. If you’re consistent in the time you put into your work, review your efforts to identify areas for improvement and then repeat that process with more work and review, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll improve. What's your advice to people thinking of enrolling at TLC for 2020? Do iiiiiiit!!!  If you’re in the local area I’d suggest calling us and arranging a time to come and see the campus during term time when the studios are buzzing with creative activity. The very cool thing about our programmes is that they work from the student’s interests. So whether someone is just out of school and finding what they want to do in the world, wanting to change careers or direction in life, or wants to move forward in a creative journey they’ve already started, they’ll be able to identify their goals and work toward achieving them in a supportive and inclusive environment.

    • Entering an Unknown World
      • "In the world of unknown creatures,I wonder what you'll find.Perhaps the unknown creatureswill open up your mind." An Oriel Hoskin Scholarship from the Learning Connexion is helping Illustration student Melissa Burtenshaw pursue her dreams of writing and illustrating children’s books. The Level 6 student has recently self-published her second children's book, titled The Unknown World. With a background in teaching and a love of illustrated stories and poetry, Melissa had always thought about writing children’s books, but was waiting for a spark of inspiration. It came courtesy of a tutorial on children’s picture books. “Suddenly I just felt this huge inspiration. Ever since then stories have just popped into my imagination. It’s happened quite organically.” Melissa says most of her ideas come from nature. “I get inspired when I’m in nature, and these poems just pop into my consciousness. Most of my stories are to do with the connection to elemental beings. Fairies, creatures of the earth – a magical mystical world.” As the recipient of a 2018 Oriel Hoskin Scholarship, Melissa has been able to focus on her goals in the New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 6). “Level 6 has been amazing for being able to bring things into completion,” she says. Melissa says self-publishing gives her the freedom to write what she wants. “A lot of my writing is a bit more unconventional.” She works closely with her tutor Iain Watt on her illustrations, while Digital Art and Design tutor Alan Poole has helped her with the book’s design. “If I come across any big stumbling blocks and don’t know what to do, they are very good at helping me – I feel very grateful for their support. If I was doing it by myself, I’d probably find myself stopping more, and feeling a bit disheartened by some of the challenges that come up.” Melissa works on her illustrations in TLC’s fully equipped illustration studio, working with water colours and gouache. Tutor Iain Watt says he’s been impressed by Melissa’s work. “Her stylistic consistency is the key holding the whole book together, and the ability to do that isn’t easy. It takes evolution and time – but she’s got it.” To order a copy of Melissa’s book contact her through Instagram or Facebook, or order from Amazon. As for the future? “I’d love to write fulltime – that’s my dream”. “Joseph Campbell coined the term ‘follow your bliss’. This is a quote that I wish to live my life by. The creative process (of receiving inspired ideas, writing them down, and then bringing them into the world of form) is my bliss. There is nothing that brings me greater satisfaction in life.” The Learning Connexion has one of the only specialist illustration programmes in New Zealand. Find us, Discover you. Want to follow your creative dreams in 2020? Enrol today, and make your mark. Find out more here.

    • Liar, liar, pants on fire!
      • By Jonathan Milne We are used to receiving misleading information. Donald Trump is possibly leading the field (as of 5 August, his 928th day in office, he had made 12,019 false or misleading claims). The trend towards political lies has led to the idea of post-truth politics. To some extent politicians have always been post-truth, although the game has changed now that social media can spread lies globally within seconds. Lies feed on a hunger for certainty. In our particular area, we experience the politics of education. For example, the government is right to be engaging with vocational education and also to launch the wellbeing budget. Even if they’re making the best possible changes, the outcomes are going to be debated in the post-truth climate and there will be a different spin from each political direction. In regard to vocational education, the government has to figure which jobs are headed for extinction and which are sustainable. If we build houses faster than our sewage systems can cope, we are in the poo. On the theme of wellbeing, I wonder whether New Zealand’s high rate of youth suicide has something to do with education. TLC knows that our students report a considerable overall improvement in well-being. Could it be that the TLC approach is relevant to reducing the number of suicides in New Zealand? Would it help if more students were able to build vocations around their creativity? We don’t know whether New Zealand’s present education system is ideal for mental health or the economy. Too many things are taken for granted. Do exam results give a useful indication of a student’s potential? Is it good to have students sitting at their desks for much of the day? Do school rules help or hinder? TLC has opted for an approach that has value for a significant percentage of students. We avoid exams, although we do emphasise motivation and help students to seek out a path that has meaning for them. We don’t target any particular area of ‘vocation’, although we are sensitive to the fact that employers are keen on people who can come up with creative solutions. We recognise that many students are going to create careers that aren’t on the radar at present. I’m suggesting that openness to constructive diversity is a good tactic to moderate ‘lies’ that are built on embedded conventions. It can help us to get past the prejudices that enable people like Donald Trump to get a foothold. It makes a difference if we think in terms of what we are FOR rather that what we are against. Historically the most successful leadership has involved tolerance and diversity. Our own political system has moved in a positive direction and could become an example to the world. We have a lot more work to do. Bonus LinkBuffy Sainte-Marie is descended from the Cree Indian tribe in Canada. She is famous as an activist singer and collaborated with Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young. One of her great songs is about lies – click here for Suffer the Little Children.

    • Baroque inspired gown WOWs audiences
      • A stunning Baroque inspired gown has led to World of Wearable Art (WOW) success for The Learning Connexion student, Daniella Sasvári. Drawing on her Hungarian roots and growing New Zealand identity, Daniella’s design Regnum Dei has won second place in the Open Section of WOW, which is running at Wellington’s TSB Arena until 13 October. This isn’t the first taste of WOW success for Daniella, who has been entering the competition since 2008. She won the Sustainability Award in 2015 with her hand-painted garment Templa Mentis, and won honourable mention in the Weta Costume & Film section in 2014 for Gesta Hungarorum (Chronicle of the Hungarians). Daniella is currently undertaking the Advanced Diploma of Art and Creativity (Level 7), as a recipient of The Learning Connexion’s Janet Law Scholarship. She has been working on Regnum Dei since beginning her studies at The Learning Connexion (TLC) in 2017, but first came up with the idea in September 2015, while attending that year’s WOW. Her husband Aaron La Roche assisted with the project. “I knew then that Baroque would be my new subject. I was very excited as Baroque is a very opulent style, perfect for stage. This was a perfect offer for me, as I come from the theatre and opera industry. I was born and raised in Hungary, so I thought this was an opportunity to work with the rich Baroque heritage of Hungary, which differs from the mainstream Italian and French Baroque.” One side of Regnum Dei tells the story of Hungary’s religious and political upheavals throughout the 16th and 17th centuries and reflects Daniella’s strong sense of Hungarian identity. “I wanted to work with this significant story, but it instantly raised a design problem. How would I explain this story to a New Zealander, without words?” To address this, the other side of Regnum Dei tells a story that most New Zealanders will be familiar with – the meeting of European and Māori in the 19th century – which was also a period of religious and political upheaval. “I tried to learn about New Zealand history and the history of the missionaries too. I did a lot of research and noticed the hierarchy and the segregation, which was depicted on many of the images, remained from the period of colonisation. Hierarchy is a key element in Baroque style, so I thought I could easily transform these images into a Baroque image – of course with a little twist.” The two paintings on each side of Regnum Dei intentionally have the same layout. “I tried to paint them identically as much as possible to give a visual translation or a visual clue about the narrative of the gown to the viewers.” Daniella has lived in New Zealand since 2007, but before that she was a successful costumier in Hungary, spending 10 years working with a regional theatre. Daniella says she came to TLC with some foundation skills in construction and tailoring, but the school gave her the extra creative push to take her work to the next level. “Those 10 years in the theatre gave me a specific set of practical skills. However, I had reached a level on my own where I couldn’t grow further. I really wanted to improve my painting and life drawing skills and The Learning Connexion allowed me to do this.” The ambitious nature of Regnum Dei required learning a number of new skills, including Baroque painting and Māori art. “I thought that it is very important to learn about Māori art to be able to present it with respect and dignity. I learned to weave at Pākaraka marae, but I learned much more than flax weaving. My kaiako, Trina taught me a lot about Harakeke (flax), but her whānau showed me, introduced me, and included me while I was studying at their marae. The two years that I spent with her whānau became one of my most treasured memories.” Daniella and husband Aaron La Roche, who assisted with Regnum Dei Originally studying on-site and attending life drawing and painting classes at TLC, Daniella made the move to distance delivery study in 2018, and now does her study and costume making from her home in Upper Hutt. Daniella says WOW has allowed her to continue developing creative work, and she has been able to use her WOW entries to gain publicity and recognition as a productive, successful artist. “It’s been a very good journey,” she says. “It slowly built up every year as I learned more about the competition.” Daniella refers to Regnum Dei as her latest “kid”, who she is happy to now let go of. “WOW will treasure her and look after her from now on. Now I have empty space in the living room to start to incubate and raise a new one... or two. She looked amazing on that stage, and I got lots of feedback and support from people who saw her.” WOW 2019 is running at Wellington’s TSB Arena until 13 October. Want to follow your creative dreams, but finances holding you back? Apply for a Learning Connexion Scholarship. Find out more here.

    • The Gold that Remains
      • Kath Wood, who studied at The Learning Connexion after receiving an Oriel Hoskin Scholarship, was awarded at Auckland’s Upstairs Gallery Emerging Artist Awards recently. Kath was the winner of the Doug Robertson Award for her ceramic, bisque fired and hand coloured sculpture Pecked Dry. A very emotional and beautiful piece, Kath describes her sculpture: “Hollowed out and pecked dry, yet the gold remains. Pecked Dry depicts a woman, broken and empty after a harrowing ordeal. Grief and suffering are discernible from her bowed head to her uneasy toes. It is the gold within that we need to acknowledge and listen to.” “I experienced feeling utterly pecked dry and hollowed out when my beautiful 16-year-old son Zander, died of leukaemia,” says Kath. “I had to hold tight and learn to bear the crushing grief. What made it endurable was to listen to my intuition; my gold within. This eventually led me to explore art seriously.” She says Pecked Dry happened spontaneously one day when she was sculpting a figure that she had been working on for months. “I had a sudden urge to depict that empty hollowed-out feeling. It is my wish that Pecked Dry resonates with those who may be experiencing similar feelings and remind them of their innate preciousness; the gold that remains.” The sculpture had its genesis earlier in 2019 at a weekend class at The Learning Connexion with expert tutor Sarah Brock. Pecked Dry is being exhibited along with 14 other finalists at Upstairs Gallery, Titirangi Village in Auckland, until 6 October. The theme of the exhibition is "Listen" with respect to raising understanding and awareness around mental health. Kath began study at The Learning Connexion in 2017 after being awarded the Oriel Hoskin Scholarship. "The Learning Connexion has provided me excellent opportunities to develop my creative practice and learn new skills across different media," says Kath. Kath completed her New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 5) at TLC in June this year, after studying part-time. Kath sharing a hug from Upstairs Gallery manager Sammy Milne at the Emerging Artist Awards. Photo credit: Tatiana Harper Photography Want to follow your creative dreams, but finances holding you back? Apply for a Learning Connexion Scholarship. Find out more here.

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