Heaton hosted 2 workshops to help create the biggest chandelier in the world.

A Salute our Women Heroines. 

Wendy and her assistant, Henrietta, taught nearly 60 students in the art room how to create the Camellia flowers from the plastic bottles.  

Why the Camellia? Each woman who signed the petition in support of women's suffrage was given a white camellia, which they wore on their lapels. It became a symbol of the Movement. 

Before we started creating the flowers we watched a presentation about the Camellia project. We learnt about the many women who worked so hard to give women in New Zealand the right to vote. We had all heard of Kate Shepherd but not many of us knew about Mary Ann Muller, Mary Clement Leavitt, Meri Te Mai Mangakahia and Akenehi Tomoana. We were proud to hear how the movement all started in Canterbury. On 19th September 1893, 125 years ago, The Electoral Act was passed.

We also learnt how important it was that this artwork carried a message about the environment. It highlights the threat to our land and water from plastic. After cutting out the flowers we then used the remains of the bottles to make jellyfish-like hanging decorations. All from bottles that would have been thrown away.

We had been busy collecting the bottles to use for this project and each student made 3 or 4 each. We had huge fun and really appreciated Wendy and Henrietta guidance and inspiration. Fun, creativity and education all in one.  

The finished Camellia Chandelier will have 31872 camellia cutouts. One for each person who signed the petition. It is going to take a lot of people to achieve this. If you would like to help see the video attached and send your Camellias to Wendy. Every person who made a Camellia will have their name listed by the final sculpture.

https://www.facebook.com/camellianz/

find out more about women's suffrage

https://mch.govt.nz/suffrage-125

"The women's Suffrage workshop was extremely fun and educational especially, knowing it all started inChristchurch. I loved making the jellyfish and being  apart of all this." 

Mikayla room 19

" We all learnt something about Suffrage. It made me and others think more about Women's rights. To Wendy and Henrietta, I say thank you for your time and patience. I really appreciate you coming here."

Bruno room 2