My passion is helping bring those stories to life — not just as displays, but as experiences that connect people and create pride in who they are and what they do.
At the heart of this work is the process of creating something with the community. That process is what matters most, and it’s the story that deserves to be shared. The exhibition or final outcome is simply the artifact of that journey.
Whether it’s an exhibition, concert, performance, or workshop, the most powerful projects happen when communities are involved from start to finish. This makes the creative journey part of the story itself — one worth telling and celebrating.
For me, an exhibition isn’t just something to look at; it’s a place where ideas meet, conversations spark, and shared experiences leave a lasting impact.
Earlier this year, I visited Invercargill to connect with people and explore how I could support art, design, and storytelling in diverse communities. I’ve just returned from a second trip, so it feels like the right moment to reflect on my deep connections to Southland.
I spent ten years at the Southern Institute of Technology, managing creative industries programmes in an environment that truly supported research and growth.
While there, I completed my PhD on DIY museums — small, mostly volunteer-run museums where communities tell their own stories in their own unique ways.
The projects I created as part of my PhD — including exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and talks in a variety of venues — were practical applications of the approaches I observed and engaged with in Southland’s community-led cultural spaces.
These projects focused on bringing spaces to life and creating shared experiences, turning ideas into meaningful, real-world moments.
I carry forward a key lesson: when communities take the lead, the results can be powerful and transformative.
