Creative Canterbury
Canterbury is the place to be if you’re seeking creative spirit and stimulation – and the spotlight is on our young artists.
“Ōtautahi has so many empty windows and so many incredible artists. Projects like this show that we don’t need big budgets or permanent venues to support our artists and activate our city.” Those are the words of Mikayla Morris, project manager of LiVS Art Windows – an initiative transforming vacant local shop fronts into vibrant public galleries. With 14 pieces live at 3 Marine Parade, New Brighton, the LiVS Art Windows spotlight the power of Ōtautahi’s young artists. If you have a vacant window or a desire to support young creatives, visit livs.org.nz/livs-art-windows.
Together with SCAPE Public Art (who just welcomed new Executive Director Rachel Jeffries), rangatahi brought a 164m2 artistic vision to life at Youth Hub Christchurch. Mentored by professional mural artists, 10 young creatives from local schools painted art onto white walls. The two-storey mural wraps around Youth Hub’s outdoor activities courtyard and stands as an “ongoing source of inspiration and pride”, says Youth Hub Trust Chair Dame Sue Bagshaw. The joint project between Youth Hub Christchurch and SCAPE Public Art, with support from Youth Hub architects Field Studio, was funded by the Farina Thompson Charitable Trust and Mahi Toi, with materials donated by Bunnings Shirley and Resene.
For more youth-led creativity, find a stunning mural down the road from Rānui House, where Cambridge Tce meets Cashel St, as painted by Hagley College students.
