Free arts and crafts at gallery

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Author: Opinion Frances Martin, Hastings Art Gallery educator
• Publication title: Hastings Leader, The

In the school holidays we welcome whānau into our education space, Auaha, to be creative, make something crafty and get involved with what’s happening at the gallery in a relaxed and engaging way

These school holidays we have free kids drop-in days from 10am to 3pm on April 16, 18, and 23. For the first time the gallery will also hold its first low-sensory session on April 24. Bookings are required for this session.

There is no drop-in day on April 25 due to Anzac Day.

At the drop-in, we’re going to be weaving, hole-punching, book-making and playing with our favourite autumn colours.

We plan a range of craft activities, based loosely on our exhibitions, but they often evolve to have a playful or whimsical element because it’s the holidays and we like to make it fun.

We plan for a wide range of ages to be able to engage with the activities from toddlers to the supporting grown-ups and everyone in between. We like it when everyone gets stuck in and embraces their creative side.

Children turn up with their parents, grandparents, aunties, babysitters, cousins, and school friends. People often bump into old friends and even make new ones.

In the January holidays this year we made colourful bugs, shipping containers, mermaid tails, and cameras with cellophane lenses.

The bugs are still on display in Auaha, often complimented by visiting school groups. People admire their diversity, character, and creativity.

Our favourite activities are the ones in which children make something to wear or to play with, such as the recent camera, crowns, and jewellery.

We see children leave the gallery and walk through Civic Square adorned in their wonderful creations and engaged in play.

We also like it when children make something with the intention to gift it to someone they love.

Sometimes we hear about things made at one of our drop-in days that are still treasured months later.

Some...