Upcoming Auckland art exhibition celebrates creativity across generations

A community art exhibition featuring more than 100 artworks created by artists of all ages and backgrounds will open in West Auckland on 18 July, highlighting the power of creativity to bring people together.

Organised by Mutu Community Arts Group, the exhibition will run from 10.30am to 4pm and showcase works produced by children, teenagers, adults, seniors and emerging artists who have participated in weekly community art programmes delivered across West Auckland.

"Art has the power to connect people, inspire confidence, and bring communities together. This exhibition celebrates the creative journey of ordinary people who have discovered extraordinary abilities through community participation and learning," Mutu Cooray, organiser of the exhibition told The Indian Weekender.

The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with local libraries and community hubs and aims to provide participants with an opportunity to publicly exhibit their work while celebrating cultural diversity and artistic expression.

"Our artist community includes people of many nationalities, including members of the Indian community, ranging from children and teenagers to adult artists," Cooray said

Art for everyone

Community Arts Educator and Facilitator Mutu Cooray has spent several years running visual arts programmes designed to make art accessible regardless of age, experience or background.

The programmes focus on developing creativity and artistic skills while encouraging self-expression, confidence, social inclusion and community engagement. They also seek to support mental wellbeing by providing affordable and accessible art education in community settings.

Weekly classes are held in partnership with local libraries and community centres across West Auckland, including:

• New Lynn Community Centre – Sundays, 10am to 2pm (teens and adults)
• New Lynn Library – Sundays, 2.30pm to 3.30pm (children)
• Henderson Library – Saturdays, 2.30pm to 3.30pm (children)
• Glen Eden Library – Tuesdays, 5pm to 6.30pm (adults)
  
  
  

A platform for emerging artists

Unlike traditional exhibitions that primarily feature established artists, the Community Art Show focuses on showcasing work created by local residents from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying levels of artistic experience.

The exhibition will feature participants ranging from young children to senior citizens and aims to encourage families and the wider community to support local artistic talent.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the artists during Art Talk sessions while exploring artworks spanning a range of styles, colours, themes and techniques. Organisers say the exhibition will offer opportunities to "View • Talk • Experience • Buy • Support" local artists and community arts development.

Collaboration across the community

The exhibition is presented by Mutu Community Arts Group in collaboration with New Lynn Community Hub, the Creative Communities Scheme New Zealand, local boards and Auckland Council.

According to the organisers, the event reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community connections through accessible arts programmes.

Arts and wellbeing

Cooray says his work also promotes the role of art in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

He is pursuing the message of arts as part of a mental health and wellbeing journey through the framework of A = Absorption, R = Retrieval and T = Transfer, describing it as a way of understanding brain and neurotransmitter functions that support memory through absorption, retrieval and transfer throughout life.

Message to the community

Cooray said the exhibition celebrates the achievements of people who have embraced creativity through community participation.

The organisers say the artist community includes people from many nationalities, including members of Auckland's Indian community, and invite visitors to meet the artists over complimentary tea or coffee during the exhibition.

The Community Art Show will be held on 18 July from 10.30am to 4pm in West Auckland. Organisers say they hope the event will showcase the contribution of community arts to Auckland's cultural landscape while providing emerging artists with a professional platform to exhibit their work.