Strong Voices

The Shed Creative Space in Paraparaumu and Ōtaki has been honoured with the Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award, an accolade aimed at supporting art studios that nurture artists with intellectual disabilities. This prestigious award, accompanied by a $5,000 prize, recognises the exceptional talent and dedication of the studio’s artists.

The winning pieces, created by studio artists Declan Jack, Christian Martin and Joziah Martin, were Train Yard, Endangered NZ and Self Portrait. These artworks stood out for their creativity and the artists’ unique perspectives, showcasing the remarkable abilities of individuals often underrepresented in the art world.

Susan Wildblood, a tutor at The Shed Creative Space, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the recognition. “The Art Awards are an incredible platform for our artists to showcase their hard work and creativity. This recognition and support from the Holdsworth Charitable Trust mean a lot to us and will help us provide even better resources and opportunities for our artists,” she said.

The $5,000 award will be used to enhance the studio’s programmes, providing more resources and opportunities for artists with intellectual disabilities to develop and showcase their talents. This support underscores the importance of inclusive artistic spaces and the vital role they play in fostering creativity and self-expression among all artists.

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Caption: Artist Michel Tuffery, The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Award 2024 judge, with the Scholarship Award winning entries.