Local Samoan artist Ana Teofilo’s eye-catching, signature designs are instantly recognisable, and the popularity of her art workshops has inspired a bid to share her talents nation-wide.

She is a local mixed media artist, born and raised here in Ōtepoti. Ana’s practice, mastered over almost 15 years, serves as both a career and a way to feel connected to Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way).

Ana says, “I feel immensely connected through my Samoan heritage when I'm carving and being able to express myself proudly through my works.”

When she isn’t in the studio, Ana is raising her three young children with her husband, Ilai. This year, Ana began sharing her skills with the wider community.

After discussion with the Ara Toi team, Ana successfully applied to the Creative Communities Scheme for support to carrying out six, free two-hour workshops over the course of a weekend. The workshops gave attendees the opportunity to practice carving and utilising hot glue for creative, visual effect.

Ana was pleasantly surprised when all six workshops were filled within two days of being advertised. Post-workshop feedback reflected the kaupapa of cultural identity and community interconnectedness that flows through Ana’s creative practice.

“These workshops served as a session for a lot of families to develop skills utilising a new tool together and building images as well as memories. This workshop also created an opportunity for families, work colleagues and different groups to connect over art.”

Ana’s workshops benefitted from the teaching skills she developed through her work in the Ministry of Education’s Creatives in Schools programme.

“It was great to meet new people and see how much these workshops gave families and friends the space to create. This activity was meditative in a way; it provided some much-needed time and space for participants to de-stress, without outside noise and disruptions. These art workshops also give people an alternative option connect to their culture outside of a religious environment.”

Following her positive experience with the Creative Communities Scheme in the March round, Ana is looking to replicate the success she had here in Ōtepoti around New Zealand.

“I look forward to reaching out to other regions, running this workshop, meeting new people and communities.”

Ana continues to evolve and develop her arts practice, which reflects the high calibre of Pāsifika arts that Ōtepoti is capable of nurturing and supporting. We look forward watching Ana’s practice grow, and hopefully there are more workshops on the horizon.

You can find Ana on Instagram: @ana.teofilo.artist