On the 18th, 19th and 20th April 2011, Tautai Trust ran workshops hosted by the University of Otago, College of Education at the Southland Campus in Invercargill.  The Pacific artists who tutored the workshops were:

Johnny Penisula:  Samoan artist who lives and works in Invercargill. “Stone is my favourite medium.” Inspired by oral tradition and story telling he hopes to provide future generations with a visual record of “where we have come from, to where we are now.” Johnny’s knowledge and expertise are unparalleled. In 2002 he was awarded Creative New Zealand’s Senior Pacific Artists award.

Victor Rodger:  Samoan/Scottish playwright. He was the first Pacific writer-in-residence at the University of Canterbury. The themes of race relations and identity inspire most of his work. Since 2000 he has been a storyliner and now dialogue writer for ‘Shortland Street’ – his “bread and butter” job.

Bridget Inder: Samoan/Pakeha is a printmaker who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in 2003 from Otago Polytechnic and went on to complete her Masters of Fine Art which she gained with Distinction in 2010. Bridget is the first student of Pacific heritage to gain a MFA from Otago Polytechnic. She lectures part time and manages an art studio for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Special thanks to co-ordinators Lisa Tou-McNaughton and Pauline Smith from Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Cultural Trust.

Radio Southland Podcast Kick your swag (outline for a one act play)