Amanda is an artist-teacher and curator. She finished her BA in Art Studies majoring in Theater Arts and Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She represented the Philippines in the Indonesian Art and Culture Exchange program (2008). She also finished her MA in Art Education in Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. She is currently completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy in Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, Auckland, New Zealand.

 FACEBOOK PAGE: ART PAVILION | INSTAGRAM: MANDYCISM

Artemy Kim is an accomplished artist and art instructor with 10 years of teaching experience. She holds two degrees in Fine Arts and Design and has been dedicated to the field of art for nearly 20 years. She is Korean and has lived in New Zealand, earning a degree from Ewha Womans University in Korea. Artemy believes that “everyone is an artist,” and she is passionate about helping students discover and nurture their creative talents.

Whether you are looking to start a new hobby or improve your existing skills, Artemy is here to support and guide you. She specializes in drawing techniques and can help you enhance your artistic abilities. Additionally, she holds a certification as a Colourist Engineer, making her well-equipped to assist with any colour challenges you might face.

You can view her work on Instagram: @arte__my

Artist Belle Han welcomes you to ignite your passion for art. She has been teaching art in both Korea and New Zealand for 29 years and has successfully supported artists to find their own style.  Her group exhibition early this year at our Centre, Dreamworks, showcased the diverse range of art practices by artists she works with.

Join her in this studio environment to express yourself. She welcomes those interested in using water based paints such as acrylic, watercolor or gouache as well as dry mediums such as pencil or pen. If you are a beginner, she is happy to assist you on the start of your creative journey as well.

See her work here

Brian Millard is one of New Zealand’s leading watercolourists with an international reputation as a master of this challenging medium. He is represented by major galleries at home and overseas. His work has recently been featured in the publications, New Zealand in Watercolour and New Zealand’s Favourite Artists, edited by Dennis Robinson. Brian has taught at Mairangi Arts Centre since its inception and served for several years as a board member. Most recently he represented New Zealand at the acclaimed Salon de L’Aquarelle at Saint-Laurent sur Gorre, France. His work is held in the Thai Royal Collection and in private and corporate collections world wide. He has won numerous awards amongst them The Rai Hammond award for watercolour, the KG Frazer Art Award and awards from The Australian Artist and The International Artist magazines.

Chloe Lam is an artist who recently moved to Auckland. Besides her bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication (Graphic Design), she is also a holder of a master’s degree in Art and Education from Birmingham City University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Visual Art at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Estel Slabbert is a highly respected art educator who has taught at Mairangi Arts Centre since 1997. Over the past two decades, she has given numerous workshops in primary schools around the Auckland region. Before immigrating to New Zealand in 1997, Estel ran a design company that produced silk screen prints for interior decoration. The business printed silk screen designs on fabric, with colours being hand-painted to create unique items. As a professional artist, Estel has worked for Intona Design Studios (Johannesburg) and the Library and Museum Services (Pretoria). Estel is committed to sharing with her students all that she has learned and discovered on her own journey as an artist and tutor to encourage students to explore and extend themselves as far as possible.

As soon as I was able to hold a pencil, I was drawing wobbly faces and bodies. That interest never left, and I have been drawing portraits ever since! While illustration has always been my primary focus, I dabble in all kinds of creative processes including watercolour, jewellery design, resin-pouring, mixed media sculpture and installation work. My degree in Visual Arts and Minor in Game and Play Methodology combined into a love of making playful art that can be enjoyed by anyone. After working full-time for a few years and squashing art in on weekends, I have spent the last year working on my own practice full time, and developing an online presence. https://www.instagram.com/ladyleliel/

James Lawrence is a practising artist based in Auckland. His practice involves a strong intuitive process and expressive brushwork and layering which allows for chance discoveries. Interested in the autobiographical nature of painting, James often re-works his paintings, creating a layered history of the process. Energy, movement and color are core aesthetic principles in James’ work and classroom. His lessons are often experimental, with an emphasis on colour and composition while showing students basic painting skills.

Teaching Philosophy:
All students, children and adults, can learn and succeed, but not in the same way and not in the same day. It is my role as a Teacher to recognise each individual’s skill, to inspire and encourage so that they find their own paths. This brings about confidence and the more confident they are, the more they are able to bring their creativity to their projects.

The beauty of children working with clay is that it stimulates the child’s curiosity. That curiosity engages imagination, excitement and lighting of a fire of discovery.

“Liam Addison is an Auckland-based creative, heavily influenced by Cinema and interactive media, expressing his passion for Film, Writing, Animation, Illustration and Music.
A graduate of Animation college and Southsea’s Film school, Liam continues to learn and improve on his skills through the various projects he and others create.
As someone who expresses themselves through art, Liam wants to share his knowledge with confidence, fundamental skills and creative expression In support of young artists.”

Lou Pendergrast-Mathieson is a practicing glass artist based in Auckland. She has been glass casting for over 20 years, and currently works out of her studio at Mairangi Art Centre, where she also runs a successful crystal glass class. She exhibits widely in New Zealand and overseas. Teaching is something Lou enjoys because students bring with them a wide variety of skills and life experiences to the class, which enhances her own practice. She also loves to share her knowledge and skills with others, and enjoys getting others to experience such a unique material. Glass is not only a beautiful, tactile material but it also plays with transparency and light.

Meet Melissa Mead, an American-born, Auckland-based potter with 18 years of experience in crafting beautiful, one-of-a-kind ceramics. Melissa’s work is inspired by the stunning geology and native plants of New Zealand, bringing the essence of Aotearoa into every piece she creates. She is experienced in both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, using everything from electric kilns to wood firing to achieve her unique designs.

Melissa’s passion for pottery goes beyond creating—it’s also about sharing. She’s taught in a variety of community settings and now offers classes.   She has her own local studio, where she also creates and sells her award-winning work. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, Melissa is excited to help you discover the joy of ceramics.                    Instagram: @meadceramics

Michelle was interested in art from an early age, sketching portraits of family and friends and then, in her teens, going on to study languages and art at college.

Michelle is a full time artist and tutor and can often be seen sketching and painting in and around Devonport. She draws her inspiration from New Zealand’s vibrant colours and stunning coastal scenery. Passionate about sketching and painting people and animals, capturing movement and that moment in time. Enjoying working in pencil, ink pen, water colours, and oils, her paintings are bold and rich in colour.

Michelle, originally from the North West of England, now calls Mairangi Bay home. She’s a ceramic artist and educator with a diverse background.

Michelle deepened her ceramic skills with a 2-Year Diploma from Dunedin School of Art at Auckland Studio Potters, focusing on porcelain, sculpture, and hand building. She’s passionate about inclusivity in art practice and fosters a positive approach to brainstorming, designing, and learning new techniques.

While clay remains her main focus, Michelle also enjoys drawing, sketching, screen printing, painting, and sewing. She believes clay work promotes mindful focus, offering therapeutic relief from busy lives.

Teaching Philosophy:
Developing and expanding an artist’s creative talent, exciting the viewer with an array of colour, moods, emotive forms and a multitude of creative themes. As artists we are visual entertainers for others to experience.

I have always been a creative person with a desire to learn. My time in technical high school taught me to work with tools and different materials. Later in college, these skills helped me in my fashion design career, where I also learned about drawing, photography, sewing, and digital art.These tools have allowed me to express myself in different ways over time and that is why I am constantly learning.

These days I mainly use watercolours and digital techniques, to create characters and my own little universe.

I am a self-taught, practicing artist and sculptor. I enjoy all kinds of creative outlets such as renovation of old furniture, mosaic, recycle art, sculpting with various mediums, painting and mixed media. I love trying new techniques and learn through my own mistakes. I thoroughly enjoy children and love to inspire them to tap into their own sense of creativity.

Russell has always been fond of drawing and originally trained as a graphic designer.

Russell moved on to qualify as a teacher and taught art in Waimate and Alexandra where he
was head of the art departments. He also taught art in Kristin School, Auckland.
Over his 9 years as a teacher and since leaving teaching in the 90s, he has undertaken a
range of art and design projects. He has illustrated 3 children’s story books and a number of
technical texts. Russell has painted in oils, acrylics and mixed media. He has also created a number of prints using printmaking techniques such as intaglio, serigraph or screen printing, etching,
engraving, linocut, woodcut, monoprint and dry point. He continues to draw and paint whenever he can find the time and these days prefers landscapes in watercolours. He combines a wealth of knowledge with an ability to connect and relate well to his students.

Sonja Drake is a seasoned artist and art educator with extensive experience and a passion for
inspiring creativity. She creates a fun and supportive environment where students feel free to
explore, experiment, and express themselves.
Based on the North Shore, Sonja is a local artist who has exhibited widely and received several
accolades, including the prestigious Walker and Hall Art Award in 2024. She holds an MFA (with
Honours) from Whitecliffe College of Art, a BFA from Elam School of Fine Arts, and a Diploma in
Secondary Teaching from the University of Auckland.
sonjadrake.com
instagram.com/sonja_drake_art

Sue Mansour is an Egyptian-New Zealand artist whose work explores the beauty of diverse cultures and the deep connections between people. Her creative process delves into the intricacies of human experiences, from the colors people wear to the emotions and motivations that drive them. Inspired by both nature’s vibrant landscapes and the dynamic energy of animals, Sue captures a unique perspective in her art.

A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, Sue enjoys experimenting with acrylics and mixed media, often blending different styles and techniques to create dynamic and textured compositions. She has a particular love for Impressionism, which allows her to explore the interplay of light, color, and movement, while also embracing motifs from various cultures, weaving them into her work to tell rich, layered stories.

Running her own successful art business,Designed By Sue Studio. Sue is passionate about pushing boundaries and continuously exploring new ways to express her creative vision.

During her time as a primary school teacher Susannah focussed on nurturing art and musical skills in her young students. She spent some time as a graphic artist then returned to teaching as a music teacher. Susannah works across a range of media including aquarelle pencils, watercolour, gouache, graphite pencil and ink as well as oils and acrylics on canvas. Her practice is informed by the natural sciences, palaeontology, mythology, history and music while her themes centre around the physical world and the metaphysical. A major component of her art practice has always been illustration/cartooning and commissions for portraits. She is passionate about encouraging children to develop their art skills through observation and exploration.

Art is for everyone! Ying believes everyone has a story and creative flair within that can be expressed through drawing. A lot of people give up drawing due to lack of confidence or thinking that it’s too complicated. Ying simplifies the drawing process by teaching her students to start a picture with a basic element and encouraging them to further express their creativity through various drawing techniques. She invites us to discover and appreciate the details of our everyday life through art; the movement of sea patterns, favourite stalls in the Sunday market, the beauty of the falling Pohutukawa tree leaves, little-gems around the neighborhood..