NorthTec Kerikeri applied arts student doing well

NorthTec Kerikeri applied arts student goes from ACE programme to the international ceramics stage

Bachelor of Applied Arts student Nada Woods has made the transition from an ACE pottery class to a degree programme and even international travel as an artist at the NorthTec campus in Kerikeri.

“I was really interested in pottery and started on an ACE class. Then the tutor, Richard Parker, suggested that I enrol on the degree programme at the end of 2009. I’m so glad I did.”

Being able to study with a world-renowned ceramicist like Richard Parker is a huge opportunity. “I’ll be carrying on with the second year of the degree next year, specifically so that I can pursue my interest in working with clay.”

In October Nada was one of a group of four students who was invited to travel to South Korea with Richard Parker to participate in the World Onggi Foundation’s International Student Workshop in Ulsan.

Onggi are traditional pots which are used for storing pickles and condiments in South Korea. Onggi continue to be a treasured traditional art form.

Attending the Onggi Foundation event was a huge eye-opener said Nada, who hails from Ohaeawai. “We had no idea what to expect. When we arrived at the airport and saw great big Onggi pots all along the concourse at the terminal I thought, ‘Right, that’s what I’m here for’.”

Once at the workshop site at the Onggi festival the student made work each day from 9am until 6pm under the watchful eyes of hundreds of thousands of visitors who came to look at the workshop in action and in the full glare of the national media who took a strong interest in the event, and the NorthTec group.

“Visitors came to see the methods that the students were using and were very enthusiastic and interested and asked lots of questions.”

The students had the opportunity to attend a seminar evening during their weeklong stay featuring students and lecturers from universities in Malaysia, China, Japan, Uganda and Korea.

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The experience has shown Nada that there is a world of possibilities available for professional artists. “It was great to see that there’s a whole lot more out there and to see the culture and tradition behind Onggi in South Korea. People there are really passionate about holding onto the traditional craft and sharing it with the world.”

There may be an opportunity for a NorthTec group to attend the annual event in the future and Nada would certainly be keen to make the journey again. “We’d all love to go back!”

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

ENDS

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