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Tēnā kotou katoa
No Wēra me Ingarani me Kōtirana toku tupuna I tupu ake ahau kainga i Raki Paewhenua Ko Waitemata te moana Kei Te Kauwhata toku inanainei Ko Waikato te awa Ko Aotearoa te iwi Ko Lauren Hughes toku ingoa |
My ancestors migrated to New Zealand predominantly from Wales, England and Scotland in the 1840s. I grew up on the North Shore of Auckland where I enjoyed summers at the beach on the Waitemata Harbour. For the last 18 years I have lived in Te Kauwhata alongside the Waikato River, Lake Waikare and the Whangamarino wetlands.
The arts have always been central in my life. As long as I can remember I have drawn, read, danced, enjoyed music and made up tall stories to make sense and process tricky stuff in my life. I was drawn to study arts therapy to understand the science behind why these things worked for me and how I might create space for others to improve their wellbeing.
I hold a Master of Creative Arts Therapy, First Class Honours from Whitecliffe and am a Professional Member of ANZACATA - Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Certified and Registered Creative Arts Therapists. Before training as a therapist I worked in arts and events management, careers and community development. I am also a mother and serve in several voluntary and governance roles. All my mahi is centred around two of my core values - people and their stories.
I am at peace in nature. I am excited by new experiences. I am curious about everything.
The arts have always been central in my life. As long as I can remember I have drawn, read, danced, enjoyed music and made up tall stories to make sense and process tricky stuff in my life. I was drawn to study arts therapy to understand the science behind why these things worked for me and how I might create space for others to improve their wellbeing.
I hold a Master of Creative Arts Therapy, First Class Honours from Whitecliffe and am a Professional Member of ANZACATA - Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Certified and Registered Creative Arts Therapists. Before training as a therapist I worked in arts and events management, careers and community development. I am also a mother and serve in several voluntary and governance roles. All my mahi is centred around two of my core values - people and their stories.
I am at peace in nature. I am excited by new experiences. I am curious about everything.
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Toi Ako ArtspaceAlongside my private practice at Gossamer Wings, I manage the Toi Ako Artspace in Te Kauwhata. Governed by Te Kauwhata Community House, Toi Ako is a creative space for our whole community. It's kaupapa is to bring people together for creative, social and wellbeing outcomes. We deliver a range of classes and events for all ages and abilities. Regular programmes include Arts for All (a mixed ability open studio programme), Creative Kids, Weaving Roopu, Community Choir, Knit & Natter, Youth Drop In, Art in the Community, Whaanau Arts Nights, Guest Workshops and more.
Toi Ako is located underneath St Margaret's Church Hall at 3 Waerenga Rd. Parking is available at the bottom of the driveway to the left of the church. Learn more at www.toiako.org.nz |
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Intrepid InkI love language and all its eccentricities. I keep my collection of poems on my blog Intrepid Ink. Feel free to fossick about. I just share them here, to give them air.
My Master's thesis was an autoethnographic arts-based exploration of encounters with death. I was originally interested in the role the creative arts therapies might play in alleviating death anxiety. My study also coincided with the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic which elevated death anxiety across the globe. My research is published and available at the Whitecliffe Library. |