Spring was in the air for the launch of the new St Paul's Art Collection as guests celebrated the beginning of a new era for art at St Paul's Collegiate School on Wednesday 31 August.

The Pou was the backdrop for a warm welcome from Matua Thompson and a memorable Kapahaka performance led by Roimata Callaghan-Bristowe (Year 12), Jackson Mackwood (Year 12), James Milroy (Year 13), Hetekia Te Ua (Year 13) and Kenneth Tua (Year 11).

Following the welcome, Jonathan Cameron and Lila Price led the guests from the Pou on an informative art trail. Gathering people around the artworks and sculptures, they acknowledged the artists and described their works in informative and entertaining ways. One artwork visited was the Bushman's Bunch which sits in the Tihoi Garden. 

Well-known corrugated iron artist Jeff Thomson was among the guests, allowing him to speak about his artwork personally. Jeff has been instrumental in New Zealand in changing how we see corrugated iron, taking it off the roof and putting it on the wall.

As the guests made their way to the Lander Centre to unveil the 2021 Leavers Gift, the Luke Jacomb Bees, they passed through the Headmaster's Office to view current students' artworks that adorn the headmaster's gallery-style walls. 

Susan Waddell remarked, "I wish I could return to school again to study ART - and nothing else!"