A fine time of year for getting creative

Now that winter is behind us it’s the ideal time for getting creative outdoors, or to start thinking about creative Christmas ideas. Manukau City Council's Manurewa Community Arts Centre (Nathan Homestead) has a great new spring and summer timetable that will help you get into a range of projects.

One of Auckland’s leading interior designers will be passing on pearls of wisdom to local residents wanting to create good indoor/outdoor flow around their home. Sylvia Sandford will be leading a four-week course at the arts centre during November. The course is the latest in the ‘This Old House’ series, and this time the theme is ‘Indoor and Outdoor Living’.

“Spring is a great time to pay some attention to your outdoor living areas, and this course will give people lots of ideas and practical advice about maximising their home’s potential and creating a good ‘f low’,” says programme co-ordinator Pat Kadaramia. “And just because this is one of our ‘This Old House’ courses, it’s not only for people with older houses – it’s for anybody who is interesting in interior design, or wanting to get the most out of their home,” she adds.

Participants will learn the art of practical space planning, the importance of line and form, and how to use colour. Other topics include choosing furniture and accessories, garden focal points and paving.

A special event that Manurewa Community Arts Centre is holding in November is a pre-Christmas workshop day. “This will appeal to anyone who likes personalising their Christmas festivities,” says Pat. “We’ll be holding four workshops on Saturday 9 November, where people can create unique Christmas gifts, ornaments and decorations.”

The workshops include teddy bear making, decorative egg creations, timeless Christmas ornaments and ‘A New Zealand Christmas’. The New Zealand Christmas workshop will give people ideas about how to make their Christmas reflect our Pacific summer lifestyle, from tree trimming to gift-wrapping. Participants will also have the opportunity to make their own Christmas wreath.

People who like adding a personal touch around their home may also be interested in Valerie Veldsman’s fabric painting course. You don’t need any prior painting experience, and can purchase starter kits from Valerie. Then you can start creating unique items such as painted tablecloths or cushion covers.

Classic rag doll making and photo scrap-booking are also on the timetable next term. “There’s so much for people to choose from, and we expect there will be some wonderful creations coming out of the centre in the next few months,” says Pat.

Enrolments are being taken now for all the courses detailed in the latest Arts in the City catalogue, which will be out soon in arts centres and libraries around the city. Or call Manurewa Community Arts Centre on 267-0180 for more information on any of their courses.

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