THE PLAY EXPLORATORIUM
Our three-part Workshop for Creatives was facilitated by Shona Mackenzie and Kim Fifield over a week in August. The intent of the workshop was to enable participants to explore what lies beyond the boundaries of traditional art mediums.
The Play Exploratorium workshop at Matter Gallery was developed to encourage participants to develop an understanding of material properties and explore a wide range of materials. Held in the gallery itself, this workshop was led by experienced artist-tutor Shona MacKenzie with artist Kim Fifield.
There were two structured sessions led by our tutors which were held a week apart, and in between these sessions, we offered a unique opportunity for self-led work in the gallery space, with a member of the team available.
We were keen to show outcomes from the PLAY workshop alongside our August exhibition, PLAY, which featured artwork from Kim Fifield, Lynette Fisher, and Nadia Marychurch. The artworks of the workshop participants were curated and displayed in the Project Space, a large alcove adjacent to the main exhibition gallery, with over 15 square metres of wall and two corners.
It was fantastic to be able to offer this workshop, and we were delighted with the enthusiasm of the participants, the willingness to explore new materials and methodologies, and the outcomes.
The Play Exploratorium Exhibited Outcomes, Matter Project Space, 2025
Workshop supported and funded by Western Bay of Plenty Mini Grants, a joint initiative of Creative Bay of Plenty and TECT.
Matter Project Space, PLAY exhibition
Alison Brain, Sophia Jarlov
Sandy Kerr
Ulemj Glamuzina, Ruth Merriman
Ruth Merriman
Amber Dawn
Dominique Adcock
Janet Fox
Dominique Adcock
Janet Fox
Dominique Adcock
Alison Brain
Christine Nevitt
PLAY EXPLORATORIUM WORKSHOP
Thank you to the fabulous artists who participated in the workshop:
Alison Brain, Amber Dawn, Christine Nevitt, Dominique Adcock, Janet Fox,
Michelle Estall, Ruth Merriman, Sandy Kerr, Sophia Jarlov, Ulemj Glamuzina.
