Newly launched art school, Laborartry, is offering a different kind of learning experience for Raglan locals wanting to get creative and learn new artistic skills.
“We offer specific classes and they are very different to what’s already on offer in Raglan,” says Elisabeth Denis, interdisciplinary artist and tutor at Laborartry.
(Listen to the full interview below:)
Classes on offer range from community art to experimental printmaking and even includes courses on character design and animation. With around six artists offering courses in their specialised areas, the tutors hope to provide an immersive and experiential learning opportunity
One of the tutors, Stuart Shepherd, has worked as an art director and sculptural model-maker for the commercial television industry in New York. He also worked on Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, and helped develop curriculum at Massey University, Bay of Plenty Polytech and Hungry Creek art school in Auckland.
Another tutor, Marten ten Broek focuses on the practical nature of his art, teaching from his experience working with hammer forging steel and iron cutters, tools and knives.
You can explore all the classes on offer from October onwards on their website: https://laborartry.nz/. Classes range from drop-in sessions and artist talks to longer courses that teach you the required skills to get started on your artistic journey.
“We focus on self-reflection in order to produce something unique to your hand and experimental approaches to free the mind from traditional avenues.”
Elisabeth, who has previously exhibited her photography locally, has a keen passion for public art that is produced by the community, for the community.
“It’s about learning to make something for the community to experience, not for a show or gallery. It’s about making something and letting it go instead of holding on to it,” she says.
With classes available for all ages, the upcoming sessions include: Introduction to Community Art through Words and Design (5–12yo - starts October 10), Experimental Printmaking (starts October 17), Life Drawing (weekly drop-in session) and Visual Storytelling (starts October 19).
Visit https://laborartry.nz/ for more information.
Elisabeth Denis is also working on a new documentary-style film looking at the immigration process in New Zealand and is seeking recent immigrants in Raglan that would be interested in being interviewed for the film. Contact Elisabeth for more information: elisabethdenis10@gmail.com