30 students took part in a workshop in the Heaton Art Room.

We were fortunate to have artist Audrey Baldwin, assisted by SCAPE educator Josie Whelan, come to help us create our own individual works as well as contribute to a large public sculpture.

First we learnt 4 strand weaving. Working in pairs we wove pieces of rope that will become part of an art work in The Arts Centre as well as part of a performance at Tūranga.

Touch–Stones will be 'a performance at Tūranga, led by choreographer Josie Archer. Using the rope, ten performers (or fingers) map the patterns of a giant string game, or whai as it’s known here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Several iconic forms are created, from Cats Cradle to Wahine to Tāne. String games have been played for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years by children in Africa, Eastern Asia, Europe and around the Pacific.

In its final incarnation Touch–Stones becomes an installation of 200 metres of rope, braided into a canopy for visitors to pass under. An artwork created by the hands of many makers, Touch–Stones, says Baldwin, “weaves our stories together – appreciating each strand and how together they form a strong, varied and unified whole”.'

After this we all made individual woven bracelets, using the same techniques. Each of us chose a semi-precious stone bead to weave into our bracelets. We chose our stones according to the meaning behind the stone. e.g. Lapis Lazuli represents wisdom and truth. It was interesting to see who chose which stone.

Everyone was very excited to learn a new technique, a skill to use again in the future. Many people did not know that stones had different meanings and found this fascinating.

We are especially pleased that some of our work will be part of a real 'sculpture' in the city.

Please go and see it.

https://www.scapepublicart.org.nz/public-art-walkway

https://www.scapepublicart.org.nz/touchstone

Many thanks to the Audrey, Josie and SCAPE team for all their expertise, enthusiasm and time.

Fiona Taylor