Stevie Cook with her portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. Photo: Enrich Plus
Kaleidoscope of Colour, a Te Awamutu Museum exhibition that showcases artists from the Enrich Plus Art Centre and Gallery programme, opens tomorrow.
The exhibition also celebrates Autism Acceptance Day and Autism Acceptance Month.
Enrich Plus helps people with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities to develop their talents, connections, and the everyday skills needed to have ‘a life like any other.’
Enrich Plus artists Julie Tate, Stevie Cook, Caitlin Thomas, Kathleen Bayer, Willy Bardoul, and Peter Crawford travelled with their tutor Theresa Siemonek and support person Kim Potroz who facilitates the craft side of the art centre, to visit the Van Gogh Alive exhibition at Auckland’s Spark Arena last year.
Siemonek is a Waipā artist responsible for some of Te Awamutu’s wall-enhancing murals. She tutors 25 artists through Enrich Plus.
She said the Van Gogh Alive exhibition was an inspiration for the artists. They were encouraged to reflect on their trip, which is represented in their writing and art featured in the Kaleidoscope of Colour exhibition.
Cook does art through the Enrich Plus Art Centre and Gallery programme every Tuesday. She said could hear birds chirping around her during her visit to the Van Gogh Exhibition last year.
“It felt like I was in the art myself,” she said.
The museum has been showcasing Enrich Plus artists since 2016, but this year the art is presented in a digital format, by way of projection.
“We are projecting the artists, their story of inspiration for their work and the art, to continue that idea around experiencing art in a different format. It is the first time we have curated their art this way, it should be an experience for them and visitors,” said Henriata Nicholas, exhibitions coordinator for the museum
Cook did a portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, which will be featured in Kaleidoscope of Colour.
“I related it off the exhibition I went to see. I did a pastel work of it,” she said.
She is excited to see the exhibition and her artwork on display.
“I feel proud of my art being displayed, because then other people can see the talent of my art.”
The exhibition will run through to April 19.
