The first in a series of free workshops to support local artists kicks off this month, and spaces are booking up fast.
The Creative Toolkit Workshop, which is being held on Thursday 19 November at Fools of Desire in Rangiora, will focus on the topic of marketing and social media, and is a chance for local creatives to gain insights into finding, engaging and growing their audience.
Rangiora cake decorator Tracey Kitchingman and Kaiapoi artist, creative entrepreneur and Waimakariri District Councillor Brent Cairns will bring their shared experience across marketing, social media, community promotion and storytelling to the first workshop.
Tracey, who is also the Visitor Experience Coordinator at Riccarton House & Bush, will share how she’s successfully used social media to grow their audience while celebrating heritage and culture. Earlier this year, Tracey also won two People’s Choice Awards in Cake Off competitions at the Christchurch and Auckland food shows for her hyper-realistic cake art.
Meanwhile Brent, who is co-founder of NakedArt in Kaiapoi, will share how he has built a domestic and internationally recognised business, with artworks held in private collections around the world.
The workshops are part of a broader programme of work under the Waimakariri Arts Strategy to support and grow Waimakariri's creative community. They will not only give practical advice but provide a place for fellow creatives to share ideas.
Council’s Community Development Facilitator - Arts Strategy Implementation, Mel Foster, says the arts tell Waimakariri’s stories, connect communities and celebrate our identity.
“Our area has long nurtured creativity and continues to produce work recognised nationally and internationally. Philip Trusttum, Mel Eaton, Nathan Pōhio and Judy McIntosh Wilson are just a few examples of this creative legacy.
“From contemporary art and public murals to Kaiapoi’s iconic wool blankets and local marae traditions of carving, weaving, waiata and storytelling, creativity is woven into our district.
“Supporting emerging artists and makers helps this legacy grow, keeping Waimakariri a vibrant, distinctive place to live.”
Workshop details:
Creative Toolkit Workshop: Marketing and Social Media
Thursday 19 November, 5 – 7pm
Register via the Humanitix website.
The Creative Toolkit Workshops have been kindly sponsored by the Kaiapoi Art Expo.
More workshop dates will be added in 2027. Anyone interested in learning more about the workshops can email Lin Klenner at lin.klenner@wmk.govt.nz or for further information about the Arts Strategy can contact Mel Foster mel.foster@wmk.govt.nz.