Cath has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from AUT and is a practicing photographer.
Cath has been working creatively with children for ten years. In that time, she has been facilitating term classes and holiday programmes at Mairangi Arts. She also independently ran a creative space from her studio at Lake House arts for 4 years. She has organized creative community events focusing on children and waste minimization. Cath has also curated exhibitions for both Mairangi Arts and Mapura Studios. She is currently also a tutor at Mapura Studios in Mt Albert. Mapura is an inclusive creative space for people with of all ages and abilities. Cath is also a NZ registered nurse although she no longer practices.
Cath’s practice is influenced by the work of Rhoda Kellogg and the Reggio Emilia school of thought. Visit www.makelikeatree.co.nz or @make_like_a_tree on instagram for more information.
Cath O'Brien
“Creating an atmosphere where the child produces independently, spontaneously and purposefully is the aim of art education”
Rhoda Kellogg
Each child has a unique perspective of the world and art is a language they can use to express it. Given the time, material, space and support children are naturally creative and full of imaginative ideas. In Cath's creative spaces children will be supported to explore and develop their own visual language.
With a focus on drawing children will also painting, collage, printmaking and construction, as well as more contemporary art forms like stop motion animation and installation. A diverse range of accessible materials will be provided to enhance independence and innovation in children.
Children learn well from one another in Cath’s classes and there is a strong sense of community including opportunities to work together in these classes.
“I have learned to step out of the way of a child's creative process and identify opportunities to provide support. Using a flexible framework and diverse materials, I work with children to find a doorway into the creative process.”
