Taking art and design to the CBD

WITT Te Pūkenga is showcasing ākonga and kaimahi art and design in the quirky Might Could Gallery on Currie Street in the CBD over the next couple of months.

“As tutors, it is important to exhibit our work and show students and the community that we are also working artists, active in the art industry, and able to practice what we preach,” says WITT Te Pūkenga Art and Design Tutor and artist Mark Raymer.

A dedicated student exhibition will follow.

“It’s a big deal for a student to show in the middle of the CBD, it’s pretty exciting for them”, says Raymer.

It is a vital part of the learning process for ākonga to show their work to others, and running an exhibition and all it entails also provides valuable real-world experience of the art industry.

“The beauty of showing in a real gallery environment is that ākonga get to experience a range of real life learning and gallery roles that will be relevant to their future employment – it gives them something real for their CV.”

Exhibitions are a regular part of the art and design programmes, but it is less common taking ākonga art out into the community

“This is the first time we’ve taken over a space downtown and we’re pleased with the numbers coming through and the interest people have in studying art and design with us.”

“We know it is important to reach out more to the community and not just host exhibitions isolated in the art department.”

The tutor exhibition, Can Do, features work from Ged Guy, Elliot Collins, Mark Raymer and Philippa Berry-Smith, highlighting each tutor's individual strengths with their chosen medium. The art, which is for sale, includes painting, printmaking, design and art installations. The exhibition runs at the Might Could Gallery, 36 Currie Street from 10am-2pm, Thursdays to Saturdays until 17 November.

Details of the upcoming student exhibition will be published on the WITT Te Pūkenga website and social media pages.