The idea of the Mural was generated by teachers Tatia Downer and Janine McDonald as a way of bringing energy back into the school following the February fire.

The mural was designed by sixteen children from the Kahikatea (Year 5&6) Team chosen by their teachers for their artistic ability and their ability to work in a cooperative team on a joint project. The children had been involved in a rich task on New Zealand endangered species with their peers, so already had an awareness of the importance of looking after our natural flora and fauna (our treasures). The artists were also involved in the organisation of the unveiling.

The children were supervised and mentored by school parent and artist Jacqui van den Berg who worked alongside the children throughout the eight-week process. Jacqui was able to guide the children though the process of bringing their design to ‘life’ as a mural using the right artistic techniques to create a high-impact work of art. Two children worked on each of the eight panels that make up the mural. The children gained immense pleasure and pride from signing their panels at the end of the artistic process.

WHO WERE THE CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT?

Trisha Su, Lily Kennish, Ella van den Berg, Justis Wycliffe, Zack Ramage, Rastana Kohunui, Matthew Curran, Pelham Dacombe-Bird,

Renee Lawton, Sophia Gilberd, Lucy Bould, Emily Hu, Pollyanna Arnold, Leah Meta, Ashleigh Burge, Grace White

HOW WAS THE MURAL FUNDED?

The total costs of producing and mounting the mural were met through the generous sponsorship of Signature Homes (Manawatu Ltd), which was negotiated by Janine McDonald, Tatia Downer and David Beck, a school parent and sales manager for Signature Homes. Kenakena School is very thankful and appreciative of the support and generosity of Signature homes and their total commitment to the project.

HERE’S WHAT SIGNATURE HOMES HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE PROJECT

“Signature Homes – Manawatu is very proud to be involved with the Kenakena School Mural Project – “Treasures of Aotearoa”. The Leadership from Jacqui (Artist Tutor) and the subsequent giant leaps the students have taken in understanding the creative process, embracing it and the producing of a truly tremendous work of art have made the Signature Homes – Manawatu involvement all the more rewarding.

It has been very interesting to observe that the process the students have followed from the initial “Big” idea, research, sketches and drafts, completed concept, process step plan, timelines to final completion is mirrored very much in the way Signature Homes – Manawatu go about designing and building homes for our Horowhenua-Kapiti clients.

When you consider that the Students are only 10 and 11 years of age, their efforts are truly remarkable. Kenakena School has shown over a number of years that given the right tools, encouragement and the opportunity, their students have accomplished marvelous things. Signature Homes – Manawatu are thankful to have been able to provide some of these “Tools”.

A STATEMENT FROM JACQUI VAN DEN BERG: MENTOR AND TUTOR TO THE ARTISTS

As an artist and parent of three children at the school it was a great experience an opportunity to give something back to the school and its community.

The students worked together in pairs on each of the eight panels that made up the final mural design. We based our work on talented New Zealand artist, Warren Pohatu’s wonderfully illustrated book, ‘Maori Animal Myths’

It was rewarding to see how they encouraged and supported each other, found each other’s strengths and abilities and worked together to achieve their fantastic result. Ideas and changes happened during the painting process, which they quickly accepted and utilized.

I was really proud of them.

The students reminded me of how much talent and potential they had, and as a friend enlightened me, they, the children like the birds, animals, and fish depicted in the mural, were also our treasures of Aotearoa.

WHAT THE PRINCIPAL HAS TO SAY!

The completed panels are absolutely stunning! I’m looking forward to seeing them mounted on the wall as a complete mural.

The project has been a fantastic partnership between teachers, children, parents and business.

Many thanks to our fantastic young artists for showing patience, perseverance and artistic flair to produce a wonderful work of art.

Thanks to Janine and Tatia for leading and managing the project from conception to completion.

Thanks to Jacqui for the considerable time and effort you gave to the children to keep them inspired throughout the thirty two sessions you spent working alongside them.

Thanks to Signature Homes (Manawatu) and David Beck for your enthusiasm and unwavering support for the project.

EXCITING! MOTIVATING! POSITIVE!