Spark Studio
About Us:
What we're doing to make a difference:
The service we provide is unique, there is no comparable organisation providing similar visual arts education for disabled adults. There are very few learning opportunities for adults with disabilities–especially those who are non-verbal and/or illiterate. Our learning programmes give this community a voice and opportunity to communicate their life story and experience.
Our track record:
We provide six weekly creative expression and art development classes to sixty adults from throughout the Auckland region. We’ve established substantial modules in painting, drawing, printmaking and bookmaking and are currently running a year long programme exploring object art, theatre arts and installation performance. We regularly exhibit and sell students’ work and receive positive reviews from the wider art community.
23 Jun
Update for 23/06/2009
By Spark Studio Charity
Spark Studio, a creative space for adult artists with disabilities has just released a publication titled A Vital Practice.
This inspiring publication provides a documentation and outline of the orientation of practice and philosophies that underpin our projects and wider studio work implemented through a series of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Commission. The projects provide an innovative and unique blend of visual arts learning and creative expression; integrating art making methodologies with person centred self development processes.
This book presents and celebrates the experience and works of our students in their art making process. It features many of the artworks created throughout the programmes, and artist statements which authentically record each person’s experience.
For instance, this by Spark Studio artist John Puhara: ‘My art is my life. No art – I got no future. No art – what am I gonna do for the rest of my life? Art is my future. I like doing different things – I like doing something more challenging – I like a challenge – every day is a challenge. No art – no life. All my study is here everyday. It’s a challenging thing – I’m ready for it. I like the opportunities I got. I like art so much – I want to keep going the rest of my bloody life. Amen.’
The service Spark Studio provides to the disabled community is both unique and essential, however, due to a restructure within the TEC (where funding will no longer be available to us) and the current economic climate, we are facing a financial crisis. For us to keep providing opportunities to artists like John Puhara we urgently need funds to sustain us through the coming 12 months.
We need your support to keep our valuable service going and are offering a copy of this beautiful book in return for a $30* (or more!) donation (plus $5.00 p & p).
For more information, please contact Josie Maskell at Spark Studio on 09 845 5361,
or email josie@sparkstudio.org.nz to find out how to make a donation and order a copy.
