Challenge of a lifetime for art students

Challenge of a lifetime for art students

Arts Foundation Laureate artists to create work with high school art students
Media Release: For Immediate Release

Later this month, Wellington College, Cashmere High School, Christchurch, and Kings High School, Dunedin will all be paid a visit by Arts Foundation Laureates Rachel House, Don McGlashan andLaurence Aberhart, in a series of events called Laureates On Stage.

Each Laureate will run a masterclass with five lucky students. The students have been challenged to prepare a work to present to an audience of Arts Foundation Patrons, parents, public, and sponsors at the evening event. For music, theatre, film and photography students, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to produce work with New Zealand's top artists.

Rachel House, most widely known in recent months for her portrayal of hard-case social worker Paula Hunt, in Taika Waititi’s box office hit Hunt For The Wilderpeople, is gaining an international reputation for her work with kids, albeit as a more compassionate and inspiring acting coach (if you have seen the film, you will know what we are talking about).

Don McGlashan has been making music for as long as he can remember. He became a household name in the 80s for his part in bands such as Blam Blam Blam, The Front Lawn and The Mutton Birds, before setting sail on a solo career. Don also has played with From Scratch, alongside fellow Laureate Phil Dadson, The Bellbirds and The Plague and has written extensively for cinema and television. Earlier this year, Don McGlashan was announced as the new Music Director for WOW – World of Wearable Art.

Laurence Aberhart is one of the forefathers of New Zealand’s contemporary photographic history. Aberhart's creative process is rare and meditative in a world obsessed with Instagram, point and shoot cameras and multi-shot ‘burst mode’. Aberhart taught himself photography whilst training to be a primary school teacher. Aberhart uses old technology and print material such as platinum and silver gelatine prints. His prints often take more than eight hours to develop.

It is the second year that the Arts Foundation have taken Laureates On Stage into schools, with the help of CORE Education and Westpac. In addition to host schools, head of departments will be inviting students and teachers from neighbouring schools to attend the afternoon workshop and rehearsals before the evening performance.

“Arts Foundation Laureates represent some of the greatest creative minds in New Zealand. Just chatting with a Laureate can be life changing. The Arts Foundation is proud to be presenting Laureates to students to inspire artists of the future and to enrich the lives of those that attend these events,” says Arts Foundation Executive DirectorSimon Bowden.

Blair Kennedy, Head of King High School's Art Department added, "It was an amazing and privileged experience for our students to get such insight into the Laureate's creative processes last year. They were also able to see how talent, drive and passion can create career pathways in the creative industry's - we're really looking forward to hosting the Laureates once again."

Arts Foundation is proud to be working with CORE Education andWestpac. Core Education is supporting the teachers and artists to provide high level experiences for students. Westpac is the Major Sponsor of the Arts Foundation and it was Westpac’s idea to take Laureate Artists into schools to inspire and support the artists oftomorrow.

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