Macandrew Bay School Art Auction Fuels Children’s Creativity

The Macandrew Bay School, located on the Otago Peninsula, is hosting an art auction to raise funds for creative programmes aimed at enhancing children’s artistic expression. The initiative supports various projects, with the latest inspired by the Te Aka Ōtākou cycle and walkway.

Ceramic artist Zehavit Darlington has played a pivotal role in this project. While walking the scenic path, she was struck by a mix of admiration and concern regarding the speed of cyclists. Initially, this prompted a desire to protest against fast-moving bikers. However, an interaction with a friend on a bicycle shifted her perspective. “She wanted to say g’day and, as a greeting, spread her legs and arms in a really funny way,” Darlington explained. This moment transformed her frustration into a creative opportunity to document the unique characters of the local community.

Darlington engaged the pupils at Macandrew Bay School, asking them to envision themselves on the cycleway and explore non-verbal greetings. “We had them walking around the classroom and pretending to be a sculpture, saying hello with their bodies,” she noted. This activity evolved into the creation of sculptures, allowing the students to express their individuality through their artwork.

One student, Griffin Holmes, took a different approach with his piece. “I created me in a car. I live just up the road from here, so it takes a while to get to Portobello,” he remarked, showcasing the diverse interpretations of the project.

The project has received backing from the Dunedin School of Art and funding through a Dunedin City Council creative communities grant. Nic Brown, the principal of Macandrew Bay School, highlighted the importance of the art auction, which occurs every two years. This event enables the school to collaborate with local artists on projects spanning arts, music, and drama.

The initiative was initially founded by former principal Bernadette Newlands, whose passion for the arts laid the groundwork for this ongoing effort. The auction features a variety of works donated by local artists, including jewellery, ceramics, paintings, photography, and even unique experiences like overseas holidays and guided tours.

“The art auction means we can generate funds to bring in someone like Zehavit Darlington to work with the children,” Brown added. “The children can create individual pieces that we can’t achieve within the funding of our operational grant.”

Bidding for the Macandrew Bay School art auction will close at 21:00 on December 1, 2023. Interested participants can place their bids online at galabid.com/macbay25. This initiative not only supports the arts but also fosters a sense of community and creativity among the students.