About
 

I am a museum educator, public programme developer and artist based in Wellington and the Manawatū, New Zealand. Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by stories, people, objects and artwork. I want others to share in curious, fun explorations into making and thinking about art. Through inclusive workshops, talks, disruptions, publications and projects, I aim to assist communities develop skills to make meaning and fun from art.

From 2017 to 2019, I have worked as a freelance developer and educator. I have designed and delivered workshops and projects at Te Papa Tongarewa for diverse audiences. These projects have included a published family trail for whānau to use together to explore the art exhibitions, an after dark social drawing workshop for adults, a practical and fun guided program to de-mystify abstract art and develop strategies for making sense of it, and a tactile activity trail within free pick-up back packs for under 5s and their families.

From May 2016 to October 2017, I worked as a Gallery Educator at The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Here, I developed my abilities as an educator in many different areas. I worked to educate learners from early years to tertiary, delivering both programs on the gallery floor and practical workshops in the studio. I take pride in my abilities to integrate inquiry based learning approaches into my practice, and have relished the opportunity to work across curriculum subjects and year levels to deliver quality learning based on both the NGV permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

I developed and published education resources for free download from the NGV website, including an interactive eBook for John Olsen: The You Beaut Country comprising of curriculum aligned art making and art responding activities and information for years  Foundation to 10, and the Van Gogh and The Seasons resource for secondary teachers.

I also planned and delivered teacher Professional Learning events, including the Creative Educators series, a range of hands on artist/designer led workshops for secondary educators, The NGV Teacher Summer School 2017, the NGV Student Summer School 2017,and the NGV Student Winter School 2017. I developed a gallery outreach program with artists Robin White and Ruha Fifita in conjunction with Regional Arts Victoria and the NGV exhibition, Siu I Moana: Reaching Across the Ocean, introducing students to Pasifika arts traditions and ideas. This program was delivered through a week of workshops in Regional Victorian schools in February 2017.

From January 2015 – May 2016 I worked as a secondary art and design teacher at The University High School, Melbourne. During my time at The University High School, I had the opportunity to plan for and teach classes in Visual Art, Visual Communication Design, Product Design, Technology and Systems Technology to students ranging from Year 7 to Year 10. Within my role, I have aimed to nurture creative and critical thinking through the extensive use of Artful Thinking Strategies, and through connecting arts practices in the classroom with those in the wider arts community.

Throughout my professional career, I have maintained a constant practice as an exhibiting artist and illustrator, with a focus on exploring representations of the body through drawing and photography.

I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching from the University of Melbourne, A post Graduate Diploma in illustration and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from Massey University Wellington.