Our creative holiday art workshops are more than your average holiday activity. Our workshops are education and NZ curriculum based. We develop a rich creative process over 5 - 6 hours that allows for individual creativity and artistic interpretation as well as time to explore and experiment with ideas and techniques. We use quality art materials and tools. Our educators are experienced artists and/or teachers. 

Creative Workshops in the Holidays

Creative

Fun

Educational

Happy and calm

Venues in Kumeu, Herne Bay and Whangaparaoa
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$85 per day, including all good quality materials
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From 9am-3pm 
For children 5 - 13 years 
​​Maximum of 12  per day

​Bring an old art shirt, lunch, snacks, water, a hat and a book 

Rave review from a happy parent

My son has attended Creative Matters Holiday Programme Workshops since he turned five and it is something he always looks forward to come holiday time. Mandy and her team have created a wonderfully nurturing environment where our son feels comfortable and happy to spend the day.  And we absolutely love what he comes home with each time! We display and have even framed some of his pieces. Can't rate it highly enough!
Dharlia 

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​October Holiday Creative Workshops 
October 1st - 11th
Tuesday - Friday both weeks at Kumeu and Herne Bay
Thursday 3rd and 10th at Whangaparaoa School
​9am - 3pm

  

1. ​Scroll down to see our workshops
   
2. Click on the venue button of your choice to be taken to our booking system
   
3. Book the workshop(s) that best suit your family

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KOWHAIWHAI BIRDS
​Tuesday 1st

Inspired by the work of NZ artist Shane Hansen (artwork above), children will explore and experiment with drawing native birds in a simple graphic, pop art style kind of way, accompanied by kowhaiwhai inspired patterns using a limited but complimentary colour palette. 

GO MAD WITH DESIGN
​Wednesday 2nd

Drawing inspiration and ideas from the amazing designs seen in Moscow's St Basil's Cathedral, we will explore and experiment with wacky shapes, building design, cool colour combos and pattern to create our very own unique version of a stunning 'cathedral' or group of buildings. Children will also learn about 3D effects, adding a metallic paint to acrylic and using watercolour pencils, paints and black inks in magnificent ways.

MIRO SCULPTURES
​ Thursday 3rd

We think artist Joan Miro is a master of shape, simple colour and pattern. We will explore his work and style and children will respond with their own drawings, leading towards creating a unique design for a wire, cardboard and paper 3D sculpture. Children will then learn techniques for creating this kind of 3D work, and then add careful pattern, shape and colour using acrylic and metallic paints.

GO FISH
​Friday 4th

One great way to use up old CDs! Have fun exploring tropical fish shapes, colours, patterns and features then experiment with a whole lot of different cool drawings of fish. Settle on your favourite fish design ideas, real or imagined, then make single or double sided 3D tropical fish out of cardboard, a decorated CD, googly eyes and acrylic paint.  Beautiful additions for your bedroom hung from the ceiling or on the wall, or as a special gift for a friend.

PEAR ENOUGH (8 years +)
​Tuesday 8th

Is your child (8 years +) looking for a more formal approach to art and keen to learn some specific techniques to help them with more realistic work? This workshop takes children through a step by step learning process developing skills in painting, brush techniques, creating perspective, layering with paint, blending and showing light and dark on an object. All using special artists' paints and colours they may never have known the names of before!

MIGHTY MARK MAKING 
Wednesday 9th

Stockholm based artist Emma Larssen (artwork above) describes her work as ‘an ongoing exploration without rules and conventions. Starting with a blank sheet, I never know the outcome. In that sense, every piece is an abstract fragment of who I am.’
With this approach in mind, we will explore imaginative mark making in various forms using inks, pastels, collage and watercolour paints. We'll also learn about and try out SQUIGGLA, a creative online and offline tool, created by the Chartwell Trust, that helps to develop creative thinking skills through mark making.

NIKAU HUSKS
​Thursday 10th

It's that time of year again - time to clear up the dropped nikau husks from Mandy's Muriwai garden! This workshop was so popular last year we're doing it again. Children will explore many creative options for decorating their own large Nikau Palm husk, draw up some design options then paint their husk with acrylic paints and mixed media, adding wire on the back for attaching. These creations will make incredible NZ wall hangings to keep for a lifetime.

DINOSAUR BUILD (8 years +)
Friday 11th

Discover the secrets of making and using paper mache clay, a wonderful concoction of soft paper, drywall compound, PVA glue, mineral oil and flour. Explore dinosaurs of different kinds, looking closely at shape, features, scale and proportions and experimenting with drawing. Then create a recycled cardboard template of a real or imagined dinosaur as the starting layer of your 3D sculpture, then use bubble wrap and masking tape to bulk it up, finishing with carefully applied paper clay.Your sculpting can continue at home once you know the secret! This workshop is designed for children aged 8+. 

EMAIL SUZE WITH ANY BOOKING INQUIRIES

Find your nearest venue
Click on the button to book 

Kumeu Arts Centre

Cox's Bay Pavilion (Herne Bay)

Whangaparaoa School L1