Shedding Light on Creativity

Walk into the Te Ora Hou Art Shed on any given Thursday afternoon, and you will immediately hit a wall of vibrant creative energy. Music is playing, kai is being shared, and scattered across the room is a mix of items that most people would have thrown out. But in the hands of 15 Year 10 and 12 Dreamers, it is the raw material for something beautiful.

This Trash to Treasure journey began in Term 1, where the Dreamers explored the world of upcycling through three distinct projects:

• Collaborative Art Boards
• Pallet Art
• Eco Dump Project.

Partnering with Te Ora Hou not only allowed the two organisations to collaborate, but it also enabled Year 10 Navigator Dwayne Tainui and his Dreamers to utilise the large, dedicated art shed. Located within walking distance of Tikipunga High School and the I Have a Dream HQ, the space has given the Dreamers both the literal and figurative room to collaborate, bond, and thrive.

Nationally renowned Tutukaka artist Shane Hansen had been feeling a strong pull to get back into the collaborative community art space and volunteered his time to support Dwayne’s Term 1 programme. He was so enthused by the Dreamers and their energy that he decided to pitch a fresh concept to Dwayne for Term 2.

“I thought we could do something for Matariki, about celebration, unity, and the diversity that we share,” Shane explains.

“I wanted to incorporate some of the flora and fauna which I’m known for representing in my work, while sticking to that core idea of taking something no longer needed and turning it into a treasure.”

Dwayne was instantly onboard, as was Longi from Te Ora Hou. The initiative gained even more momentum after Shane had a timely conversation with Lenny Murupaenga from Creative Northland, who offered four unused table tops to use as canvases and generously provided funding for essential vinyl, high-quality paint brushes, and paint supplies.

Work is almost finished on four large-scale murals featuring stenciling, a unique style Shane has perfected over the years. The technique looks almost printed but is entirely hand-painted through meticulous application and proper drying times, which Shane has been teaching the Dreamers. Through this, they have learned the importance of layering paint to build depth, contrast, and vibrant texture.

While managing the problematic laminates of recycled wood was sometimes a challenge, Shane notes that the imperfections add a unique, rustic character to the final pieces. For the students, the most thrilling part of the process is carefully peeling the tape away to watch the razor-sharp designs reveal themselves.

Although maintaining focus in a bustling room can be challenging, seeing the striking results of those who persevere inspires the rest of the group to deepen their commitment. Shane notes that while many of the Dreamers were initially shy, he broke the ice through genuine kōrero. By unlocking their vibrant, humorous, and imaginative natures, he revealed an approachable group full of refreshingly open, unbiased perspectives.

“What I love about this kind of project is that it’s not just about the end product; it’s about the journey of getting there,” says Shane. “You’re working in this shared space, and it’s the conversations you have while painting that truly connect everyone, allowing the work to come together cohesively.”

He believes that physical, tactile connection is vital for young people who are often swallowed up in today’s hyper-digital world. The real reward for him is watching the participants completely lose themselves in the joy of creating.

“You see them connect in some way, and a light just goes on. Their eyes get this incredible glow, they’re smiling, and they get totally absorbed and lost in the process. That is the exact feeling I want people to get from my work.”

Beyond artistic expression, the project serves as an invaluable informal mentorship. Working alongside an artist of Shane’s calibre offers the Dreamers a real-world look at how creativity can blossom into a legitimate, viable profession, shifting the narrative away from art being “just a hobby.”

Shane recalls how certain people inspired him during primary school to pursue his passions, and he is glad to return the favour. “So it’s been great to plant a seed in some of these young ones about the choices they can make, how they can apply themselves, and where it can lead.”

To add the final, meticulous touches, the Dreamers returned to the shed over the holidays. Once the project wraps up, Dwayne aims to distribute the four vibrant murals so they can be proudly displayed throughout both Te Ora Hou and the I Have a Dream headquarters.

The dedication, cultural pride, and artistic growth displayed by these Dreamers is testament to the magic that happens when a community unites for its youth.