Event
The A-Team : Class of 1992
Saturday 12 November
Pātaka Performing Art Studio
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the inaugural graduating class of the Craft Design Diploma from Whitireia Polytech.
Thirty years ago, Whitireia Community Polytechnic Art Department graduated its first four students with the new National Craft & Design Diploma.
Wi Taepa, Ernest Sami, Tracey Morgan, and Eric Ngan, will be joined by ex-faculty to reminisce and share storiesof that time, with some art work on display.
We will also hear from Ray Thorburn, Husband to the late Anne Philbin, who was Head of Department and instrumental in setting up the Applied Arts school and Diploma programme
Other graduates of this Art Department are welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to share their anecdotes at this reunion event.
in 1991 Whitireia Polytechnic's Art Department began trialling the Craft Design Diploma course. The basic fees were paid upfront by the Polytechnic, and the students were challenged to repay the school by completing commissioned art work projects. To generate interest and business, Wi Taepa, Ernest Sami, Tracey Morgan, and Eric Ngan were marketed out as the A-Team. No less than six public art projects were completed that year.
This discussion will reflect back on the groups' time and how this experience was a springboard for their creative careers since.
Discussion will be facilitated by Makerita Urale, Senior Manager Pacific Arts, Creative New Zealand.
