David James

David and Nina James lead ATELIER Ministries, an initiative that seeks to support and raise the value of artists and creatives of faith as essential voices to both the church and the world.

Born in 1976, and living and working in Whakatū Nelson, New Zealand, David James’ art practice explores the sensitivity and control of traditional figurative drawing and painting within a contemporary visual arts context. His greatest interest is to explore the fragility and resilience of the human condition in reference to our shared histories and stories.

David holds qualifications in the visual arts majoring in painting and drawing, and a Master’s degree in Art & Design for which he achieved First-Class honours for his work in video installation. He has been a finalist in the Parkin Drawing Award 2023, and the winner of the John Richardson French Residency Award 2024.

David also facilitates ATELIER Collective – an online community of artists of faith.

Check out David’s work at this link davidjames.nz
Instagram: @davidjamesartist

Elliot Collins

I am an artist who works across an interdisciplinary range of media. I have a desire to work in museums and art galleries, across Aotearoa, amongst people and objects who sit in the difficult places of history and memory that help us live better lives by revealing their stories and sharing their wisdom.

I gained a practice-led Ph.D. from AUT University in 2019, researching Memory Markers in the Landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand. I am interested in ideas of the present/absent texts within memorials or ‘memory markers’ in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as the motifs that represent a particular kind of identity-forming narrative. My practice draws reference to poetry, language, naming, and memorials towards death.

Since graduating I have taken a greater interest in autoethnographic fieldwork and recorded intuition by way of the flâneur or wanderer. My practice aims to expand ways of recording and documenting silences in relationship to the environment and cultural narratives.

I currently live in Waitara in North Taranaki with my wife and our dog on the whenua of Te Atiawa and continue to show nationally in a range of public and private galleries. I currently work as an academic staff member at Te Pūkenga – Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki.

Workshop

The Wrinkled Pillow (or how to paint like a Pākehā)

This workshop will be broken down into two parts; the first is an insight into my way of thinking and working as a Pākehā artist and researcher who is also contending with matters of faith that are interwoven with questions of how best to serve mana whenua. This will draw close to the role religion played/plays in the colonisation of New Zealand as well as an examination of where we are today. The second part will be a hands-on tukutuku workshop that weaves together questions of identity and aspirations of what an Aotearoa Hou might look like and where to find your place within it.

Check out Elliot’s work at:

Instagram: @the_elliot_collins

Charles & Janine Williams

Passionate about the power of creativity we live our lives at the intersection of artistic expression & strategic purpose.  Married for 23 years & with 7 kids at home life is busy mix of whanau, study & creativity all with the desire to create societal change through the arts.

We’ve had the privilege of working alongside a wide range of clients, communities, organisations & businesses around the world throughout our career of 25+ years.  Each opportunity allows us to draw from a diverse range of perspectives & experiences as we challenge traditional frameworks & processes along the way.  Specialists in urban art & indigenous narrative design we’ve spent our career navigating the complex relationship of faith, culture & professionalism with whakawhanaungatanga as the central value.

We wouldn’t advise you to think outside of the box we would tell you to re-design it alongside indigenous partners & with divine intent.

Check out Charles & Janine’s work at this link charlesjaninewilliams.com

Workshop

Understanding an indigenous perspective on the role of creativity in modern society.

Rebecca Jamieson

Rebecca Jamieson is a visual artist and secondary school arts teacher. She studied visual arts and education in her tertiary qualifications and juggles simultaneously, various sporting pursuits.

Rebecca’s creative practice centres around working with clay. For her, it is the dynamic nature of clay and the ability to push it so far, that reminds her of what is possible with a bit of resilience.

Rebecca also loves ponies, being in nature, eating, learning te ao Māori, and being in Italy!

Workshop

Breath, Uku, and Belonging

In Genesis 2:7, the Lord formed man from dust and breathed the breath of life into him. In this workshop, Rebecca takes us on a journey of clay and of breath, sharing a creative process that has helped her through years of injury and disappointment in high performance sport and relationships.

There will be lots of clay, making, laughter, and reflection, as themes of belonging and healing are explored in collaborative making.

Dean & Jo McQuoid

Dean and Jo are passionate believers, who love to serve prophetically through worship and the arts.

They fell in love leading worship together 27 years ago, and have continued to serve through itinerant ministry nationally, internationally, and in their local church.

They have been a part of the Christian band scene, church leadership, worship directing, prophetic art, recording projects, evangelistic outreach, both internationally and throughout Aotearoa, and last year saw them release their first full-length album ‘The Strength of Stones’

At Orama, Dean is the Spiritual Formation School director.
Jo is the Event Manager and focus’ on all things fun! She is also spearheading the development of the arts, with a particular focus on the establishment of the new Woolshed art studio.

Check ot the McQuoid’s work and music at this link mcquoidsmusic.com
Instagram: @mcquoidsmusic