Mark brings international art experience to Taranaki

The growth in WITT’s art and design department was attractive to new tutor Mark Raymer, who has recently started as a tutor after relocating from Kansas, Texas. Mark brings years of international experience as both teacher and practising artist

Student numbers have more than doubled compared this time last year, across the New Zealand Certificate in Art and Design Level 4 and the New Zealand Diploma in Art and Design Level 5.

WITT offers four study options in art and design ranging from short courses to a New Zealand Diploma (Level 6), where students gain a broad foundation of art and design skills, studying in a hands-on, studio-based environment that values exploration of ideas.

The polytechnic introduced the New Zealand Diploma in Art and Design Level 6 to the portfolio with intakes in March and July for the three courses.

“I wanted to be part of that growth,” he said. 

Originally from Christchurch but raised in Texas, Raymer will use his experience in both an academic and practical sense. Those attributes will fit in with fellow industry-experienced tutors, which adds to WITT’s point of difference.  

He holds a Master of Fine Arts and taught printmaking and art and design for the last five years at Avila University in Kansas City and Kansas City Art Institute.

He’s also exhibited work in galleries in the United States and Canada with many displays shown over the past 13-years.  

But his work doesn’t stop there.

“As well as participating in artist residencies, assistantships and running printmaking workshops,” he said.

While his work has been primarily overseas, he is keen to show it here.

“I am eager to begin a new body of work and have it shown here in New Zealand,” he said.

When he started working at WITT, its facilities impressed him.

“The facilities are large and have great capability to continue to evolve to fit the needs of students and faculty.”

He said the department are implementing some new technology and revitalising some of the traditional practices.

“There is a healthy blend of new and traditional media here.”

Students can expect to learn from Raymer the technical proficiency needed for different printmaking methods, as well as the fundamentals of art, design and studio practice.

He moved here with his Texas wife and 19-month-old baby born in Kansas City.

He said he is very happy living in Taranaki.

“I think it’s a beautiful and unique part of New Zealand.

Outside of work and family, Raymer enjoys hiking and admits to being an ‘average’ disc golfer from time-to-time.