Sculpture Classes

Te Pani Trust runs a stone sculpture studio at 165 Seaview Road, New Brighton. All classes are run in purpose-built facilities and with friendly, trained tutors. Group and individual classes are available.

Our tutors are experienced artists, able to draw from the collective pool they have created.

Fridays are carver's day, when our carvers share the knowledge and company of other artists in a well resourced studio. The public are welcome to visit and see works in progress.

Stone sculpting is a rewarding, creative activity which can also assist with physical rehabilitation or recovery from trauma.

Personal Gains

Students at our sculpture classes have told us they have gained:

a positive and relaxing leisure activity
problem solving skills learned from creating a sculpture out of stone
arts skills and abilities such as design and perspective
new relationships, social contacts and networks
self expression and healing
the esteem and pride gained from being the maker of limestone to keep or give as a gift
cultural esteem from learning about traditional designs and their meaning
a source of income from sale of artworks

Class Information

We offer two-hour classes between 10 am - 3pm weekdays, Monday evenings, and Saturdays by arrangement.

We are experienced in working with a variety of age groups and abilities. Stone sculpture is an ancient form of art and participants can create beautiful artworks with relative ease.

You need to bring:

old, warm clothes
an adveturous spirit

We supply:

limestone
tools - handsaws, mallets and chisels
supportive encouragement

Our goal is for you to enjoy your own creativity; we don't judge artworks.

In the last six months of 2007 we taught:

58 groups, with 459 participants
286 individuals

The kinds or groups attending include:

residential and resource groups for people with intellectual and physical disabilities,
trauma and accident survivors
at-risk and youth offenders
church social outreach groups
school holiday programmes
extended families working on projects together
art introduction groups
second chance education groups

Here is what they had to say about what they had learned at Te Pani (and remember we have clients of varying abilities):

"Fantastic atmosphere, all staff embrace my crew that come and make their stone carvings. They've learnt how to use all tools safely and to express themselves creatively."

"Keeping at it; new skills, all sorts of different skills, friendship, pride in finished work, patience, lots of concentration."

"How to shape a sculpture and cut straight and have fun."

"The need to follow instruction, to be able to complete my pieces; learned the use of various tools and techniques. Most helpful, a great atmosphere, always good to be here."