MAC Staff
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General Manager
09 478 2237
manager@mairangiarts.co.nz
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Administrator
09 478 2237
christine@mairangiarts.co.nz
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Customer Service Co-Ordinator.
MAC Tutors
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“I believe life is best lived in full colour”
For 30 years, I had the privilege of working as a primary school teacher—a role that has allowed me to use the arts as central to learning. My mission has always been to show children that creativity is a powerful tool for expression. This same philosophy guides my personal work. I am a knitter who finds joy in the ‘having no rules’ by mixing colours and reinventing patterns to create something truly unique. My mixed media art pieces are a celebration of my journeys; they bring together the textures of the world I’ve travelled and the natural surrounding environment I am so lucky to live in, into a single, cohesive explosion of colour, patterns and shapes.
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Artist Belle Han welcomes you to ignite your passion for art. She has been teaching art in both Korea and New Zealand for 29 years and has successfully supported artists to find their own style. Her group exhibition early this year at our Centre, Dreamworks, showcased the diverse range of art practices by artists she works with.
Join her in this studio environment to express yourself. She welcomes those interested in using water based paints such as acrylic, watercolor or gouache as well as dry mediums such as pencil or pen. If you are a beginner, she is happy to assist you on the start of your creative journey as well.
See her work here
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Brian Millard is one of New Zealand’s leading watercolourists with an international reputation as a master of this challenging medium. He is represented by major galleries at home and overseas. His work has recently been featured in the publications, New Zealand in Watercolour and New Zealand’s Favourite Artists, edited by Dennis Robinson. Brian has taught at Mairangi Arts Centre since its inception and served for several years as a board member. Most recently he represented New Zealand at the acclaimed Salon de L’Aquarelle at Saint-Laurent sur Gorre, France. His work is held in the Thai Royal Collection and in private and corporate collections world wide. He has won numerous awards amongst them The Rai Hammond award for watercolour, the KG Frazer Art Award and awards from The Australian Artist and The International Artist magazines.
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I am an Art and ESOL teacher, with ten years of teaching experience. I took my degree in Psychology and Philosophy, but felt continually pulled towards the world of fine arts, eventually changing course. I was (and still am) very inspired by the works of the Old Masters, so I sought out classical training. I studied with Tatyana Kulida in Wellington, and then went overseas to study at various representational art academies. These academies taught me principles and techniques that helped me translate and edit the real world onto paper. It felt like being taught how to make magic. The more I practise and learn, the more I fall deeper in love with drawing and painting.
I believe art is as teachable as maths or science, and by learning and practising solid, time-tested principles, anyone can draw and paint very well. I’m a patient, encouraging, and dedicated teacher, and seeing my students grow and improve is extremely rewarding to me.
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Chloe Lam is an artist who recently moved to Auckland. Besides her bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication (Graphic Design), she is also a holder of a master’s degree in Art and Education from Birmingham City University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Visual Art at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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Emmie is a multidisciplinary visual artist who has found a home in the world of art education, and children’s illustration. She earned her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and is currently completing her graduate diploma in teaching at UoA. With a rich experience in teaching and learning in art, she hopes to bring fresh, imaginative approaches to expand the possibilities of a visual classroom. She loves to connect with children through compassion, guiding each of their adventures with warmth and encouragement. To her the creative process is a colourful playground: a safe space for everyone to play, explore, and embrace with wonder.
You can find her illustrative work at emmiewuart.com
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James Lawrence is a practising artist based in Auckland. His practice involves a strong intuitive process and expressive brushwork and layering which allows for chance discoveries. Interested in the autobiographical nature of painting, James often re-works his paintings, creating a layered history of the process. Energy, movement and color are core aesthetic principles in James’ work and classroom. His lessons are often experimental, with an emphasis on colour and composition while showing students basic painting skills.
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Teaching Philosophy:
All students, children and adults, can learn and succeed, but not in the same way and not in the same day. It is my role as a Teacher to recognise each individual’s skill, to inspire and encourage so that they find their own paths. This brings about confidence and the more confident they are, the more they are able to bring their creativity to their projects.
The beauty of children working with clay is that it stimulates the child’s curiosity. That curiosity engages imagination, excitement and lighting of a fire of discovery.
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Jin is a Korean–New Zealand ceramic artist who is passionate about teaching and sharing her love of clay with the community. She ran her own ceramic studio for 16 years in Auckland, working with a gas kiln and multiple pottery wheels while teaching classes in a welcoming environment. Jin also has extensive experience in traditional Korean pottery, including working with a traditional wooden wheel and participating in group exhibitions in Korea in the early 2000s. Jin enjoys teaching both beginners and experienced potters, focusing on strong foundational skills, creativity, and the joy of working with clay in a supportive and inspiring space.
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“Liam Addison is an Auckland-based creative, heavily influenced by Cinema and interactive media, expressing his passion for Film, Writing, Animation, Illustration and Music.
A graduate of Animation college and Southsea’s Film school, Liam continues to learn and improve on his skills through the various projects he and others create.
As someone who expresses themselves through art, Liam wants to share his knowledge with confidence, fundamental skills and creative expression In support of young artists.”
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Michelle was interested in art from an early age, sketching portraits of family and friends and then, in her teens, going on to study languages and art at college.
Michelle is a full time artist and tutor and can often be seen sketching and painting in and around Devonport. She draws her inspiration from New Zealand’s vibrant colours and stunning coastal scenery. Passionate about sketching and painting people and animals, capturing movement and that moment in time. Enjoying working in pencil, ink pen, water colours, and oils, her paintings are bold and rich in colour.
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Michelle, originally from the North West of England, now calls Mairangi Bay home. She’s a ceramic artist and educator with a diverse background.
Michelle deepened her ceramic skills with a 2-Year Diploma from Dunedin School of Art at Auckland Studio Potters, focusing on porcelain, sculpture, and hand building. She’s passionate about inclusivity in art practice and fosters a positive approach to brainstorming, designing, and learning new techniques.
While clay remains her main focus, Michelle also enjoys drawing, sketching, screen printing, painting, and sewing. She believes clay work promotes mindful focus, offering therapeutic relief from busy lives.
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Teaching Philosophy:
Developing and expanding an artist’s creative talent, exciting the viewer with an array of colour, moods, emotive forms and a multitude of creative themes. As artists we are visual entertainers for others to experience.
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I have always been a creative person with a desire to learn. My time in technical high school taught me to work with tools and different materials. Later in college, these skills helped me in my fashion design career, where I also learned about drawing, photography, sewing, and digital art.These tools have allowed me to express myself in different ways over time and that is why I am constantly learning.
These days I mainly use watercolours and digital techniques, to create characters and my own little universe.
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I am a self-taught, practicing artist and sculptor. I enjoy all kinds of creative outlets such as renovation of old furniture, mosaic, recycle art, sculpting with various mediums, painting and mixed media. I love trying new techniques and learn through my own mistakes. I thoroughly enjoy children and love to inspire them to tap into their own sense of creativity.
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Russell has always been fond of drawing and originally trained as a graphic designer.
Russell moved on to qualify as a teacher and taught art in Waimate and Alexandra where he
was head of the art departments. He also taught art in Kristin School, Auckland.
Over his 9 years as a teacher and since leaving teaching in the 90s, he has undertaken a
range of art and design projects. He has illustrated 3 children’s story books and a number of
technical texts. Russell has painted in oils, acrylics and mixed media. He has also created a number of prints using printmaking techniques such as intaglio, serigraph or screen printing, etching,
engraving, linocut, woodcut, monoprint and dry point. He continues to draw and paint whenever he can find the time and these days prefers landscapes in watercolours. He combines a wealth of knowledge with an ability to connect and relate well to his students.
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During her time as a primary school teacher Susannah focussed on nurturing art and musical skills in her young students. She spent some time as a graphic artist then returned to teaching as a music teacher. Susannah works across a range of media including aquarelle pencils, watercolour, gouache, graphite pencil and ink as well as oils and acrylics on canvas. Her practice is informed by the natural sciences, palaeontology, mythology, history and music while her themes centre around the physical world and the metaphysical. A major component of her art practice has always been illustration/cartooning and commissions for portraits. She is passionate about encouraging children to develop their art skills through observation and exploration.
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Interdisciplinary artist Sylvia Sinel emigrated to New Zealand from Sweden 2013 and settled in Hamilton where she has been very much involved in the local art scene, both as an artist and as
a tutor in various organisations. Sylvia and her family have recently relocated to the North Shore, where she’s currently establishing a new studio. Sylvia’s Art practice spans over 35 years and her work is found in many private collections worldwide. She has worked with a variety of mediums and techniques over the years – drawing, painting, sculpture, writing, performance and anything i between. Nowadays she focuses mainly on sculptural form and incorporates drawing and painting as part of the process. Sylvia has a big passion for teaching and loves passing on knowledge and inspiration to students from all walks of life, young and old. She loves to see people learn and grow on their own terms, and feel privileged to be part of the magic when it happens.
You can find out more about her and her work on www.sylviasinel.com
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Art is for everyone! Ying believes everyone has a story and creative flair within that can be expressed through drawing. A lot of people give up drawing due to lack of confidence or thinking that it’s too complicated. Ying simplifies the drawing process by teaching her students to start a picture with a basic element and encouraging them to further express their creativity through various drawing techniques. She invites us to discover and appreciate the details of our everyday life through art; the movement of sea patterns, favourite stalls in the Sunday market, the beauty of the falling Pohutukawa tree leaves, little-gems around the neighborhood..
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Tutor duo, Xinwen and Hao are the creators of Velora studio, they specialize in creating mixed media classes usually using chenille stems / pipe cleaners, they also utilize 3D printers to create amazing and initiative toys and objects!
Board of Trustees
Back row, left to right: Trevor Snookes, Val O’Reilly, Deputy Chairperson Emme Stols, Wenmiao Bian, Taryn Ramsay, Jake Officer // Front: Karen Gardiner, Chairperson Chris Cooper, General Manager Clint Taniguchi (Trustee Kathie Boyd not in photo)
The Mairangi Arts Centre is a Charitable Trust which employs a small team dedicated to the day-to-day running of the Centre. MAC’s overarching governance is administered by a Trust Board. Board members serve on a three-year, voluntary basis and are responsible for achieving the centre’s long term vision and strategic objectives, and for ensuring that we continue to serve the needs of the local community.
Trustee Profiles
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Chris has been a Mairangi Bay resident for the past 22 years. He retired from a career in commerce and industry, as Head of Finance for the NZ operation of a multinational business. Retirement has allowed Chris to rekindle his interest in painting as he attends weekly classes at MAC. Chris states that he has a certain amount of spare time in retirement and see that as an opportunity to give something back to the Mairangi Bay Community.
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Emme relocated to the beautiful Bays almost 4 years ago, and settled in Mairangi Bay in 2021. She has been in the art supply industry for over 30 years and she has a passion for sculpture, pottery, and mosaic. Emme holds a Business Management Degree and intends to pursue further studies this year. The Mairangi Arts Garden and its continual evolution is a project that is of particular interest to Emme. She is looking forward to contributing to the growth and community inclusion at the Mairangi Arts Centre.
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Karen Gardiner is a local resident, teacher and trustee of The Chartwell Trust, a privately managed charitable trust whose mission is to support and articulate the value and impact of the visual arts. She is co-Director of the Chartwell outreach project called Squiggla, which encourages everyone to understand themselves as creative thinkers through the power of mark making. She hopes to enable a deeper engagement by the local community in the processes of thinking, seeing, doing and being through art and creative visual thinking for all.
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Wenmiao is a resident of Torbay and was a corporate lawyer of multinational companies in Beijing, China before her family moved to New Zealand in 2015. Since coming to New Zealand, Wenmiao has continued her service in the legal and education fields and has been deeply involved in the local community as a volunteer. She is one of the founders and the project manager of the Families Growth and Thrive Charitable Trust, a non-profit organization based in North Shore providing cultural and educational support to new migrant families. Wenmiao is dedicated to promoting opportunities for new immigrants to learn about, engage with and participate in local New Zealand arts and culture.
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Dr Val O’Reilly (Kāi Tahu) is from Te Wai Pounamu/the South Island and has lived on the North Shore for over 30 years. Val believes creative practice is an important expression of, and outlet for, individual and community identity. Although her first love is painting, Val has studied raranga (traditional Māori weaving), toi ataata (Māori visual arts), and recently started a journey in ceramics with the Mairangi Arts Centre. In her mahi with colleagues at The Career Development Company, Val works with individuals and organisations across New Zealand to support their career journeys.
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Jake is a full-time Law and Commerce student, majoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He has lived in Abu Dhabi for 11 years and in Mairangi Bay for the past 7 years. Jake spent years at the Mairangi Tennis Club and enjoys being part of an axe-throwing league. He is committed to using the skills from his studies in a practical way to give back and positively impact his community.
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Trevor has been involved in education all his life. Serving as a school principal for many years , Trevor’s career has transitioned to now currently as an Evaluative Lecturer at AUT. Always been interested in art, he is a talented artist who gives his artworks away. Trevor look s forward to contributing to the MAC as a Trustee.