Mural Masterpieces – Toi Ako Te Kauwhata

Location:
Corner of Wira Street, Main Street and Waerenga Road, Te Kauwhata.

Toi Ako Te Kauwhata is a not-for-profit community artspace in Te Kauwhata committed to bringing people together through creativity. They are governed by Te Kauwhata Community House and deliver a range of programmes and events for people of all ages and abilities.

The Youth Mural Project engaged 31 local youth to paint a 10m mural for the side of the Community House. Located right in the middle of the village this mural is visible to shoppers on the main street and children coming to and from the primary school.

Team:
Artist Claire du Bosky designed and supervised 31 youth painters and two Toi Ako staff contributors. The young painters were Chase Baranyai, Danika Blank, Mikyla Blank, Patricia Braddock, Lachlan Brown, Cody Brown, Natalie Croucher, Beth Dingle, Yanni Edwards, Stella Ferregel, Zoe Ferregel, Akelah Ganley, Sam Kennington, Roxbrie Knight, Ash Lowe, Cailey Lowe, Natalie Maisey, Cassidy Mako, Tabitha Mako, Elliot Parkes, Finn Parkes, Oliver Parkes, Elias Ryburn, Bella S'ao, Helen Seaton, Charlie Stevenson, Emmalyn Tuhimata, Ellaray Tuhimata, Harper Tuhimata, Ethan Walkley and Sean Walkley. They were supported by Toi Ako staff Lauren Hughes and Kris Bryant.

The whole project was designed and supervised by local artist, teacher and farmer Claire du Bosky. Thanks to Te Kauwhata Community Committee for assistance with the wood and framing.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Our place on the shores of the Waikato River, Whangamarino Wetlands, local lakes.

The mural was inspired both by our unique natural environs on the banks of the Whangamarino Wetlands, Waikato River and local Waikare and Whangape Lakes. The design is also inspired by this whakatauki: E tūtaki ana ngā kapua o te rangi, kei runga te Mangōroa e kōpae pū ana. The clouds in the sky gather, but above them extends the Milky Way.

Background to mural creation:
This mural was created to engage local youth in a project to enliven our town, celebrate our place and to create civic pride. Due to placement on the side of the Community House the design also upholds dignity and hope and is inspired by a whakatauki.