Haere mai! Welcome to Mairtown Kindergarten's blog.

Nau Mai Haere mai. Welcome to Mairtown Kindergarten's blog.


21 Princes Street, Kensington, Whangarei, New Zealand

Phone: 09 437 2742

Email: mairtown@nka.org.nz

Monday 21 October 2019

A special tradition - Hundertwasser inspired calendar art


At Mairtown Kindergarten we love rituals and traditions; each term there is something special to look forward to.  At the beginning of term three, it was a special time for the children to start working on their own individualised calendar art work.  This special piece of art work can then be made into calendars, cards, note pads, diaries or mouse pads.



What is so special about the calendar art is that every single piece is individual and unique, just like the child who created it.  This year, like past years, we have gained inspiration from artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.  He is a favourite at Mairtown and the children are familiar with his work.  We now have quite a collection of his books at kindergarten that illustrate many of his colourful and vibrate art, these are on display for the children to look through before they start their own work. 

It’s lovely to observe the children’s expressions when looking at the books, you can tell when they have found a favourite piece of art work they seem to be drawn to and gain inspiration from.  I love how Hundertwasser’s work seems to trigger our children’s imagination and creativity.  Yet, for some children they don’t appear to need any Hundertwasser inspiration, they are happy and confident to create their artwork using ideas from their own imagination and interests.



Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, and ways of being.  When we are creative we can develop meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, and interpretations.  Creativity is risking what is for what could be”.  (Childspace)

I find it incredible how much time and effort each child puts in their artwork.  It is wonderful to see our older children who remember completing their calendar art last year, and now they are able to explain the process to their new friends.  I remember when I first started at Mairtown years ago, it was during term three and the children had already started working on their calendar art.  I couldn’t believe what a massive effort that they put into their work, it can take days and days, even weeks to complete.  Fast forward to this year, our children still put so much time and effort into their art. 



I love how some children are super keen and excited to try and complete their work quickly, whereas others are happy to take their time and revisit their work over many days. Either way, all put great thought and creativity into every mark of the black pen, every stroke of the dye and all the detail of the gold and silver pens.  We know that amazing art work takes time to create, that’s why this process takes months to complete, in fact it takes almost all of term three.  We never rush the children and they know they can revisit their work and continue the process.  Just as we know that each child is unique, we respect the way they each approach their calendar art, as there is no right or wrong way to use our imagination and creativity.


“You can’t give someone a creativity injection.  You have to create an environment for curiosity and a way to encourage people and get the best out of them”.  (Ken Robinson)


Here are some examples of this year’s work, don’t they look truly magnificent.






I think you will all agree with me that our children have put in a massive effort to create such stunning calendar art that would look great hanging on the wall as next year’s calendar.  With December approaching fast, the calendar art would make stunning Christmas presents. The art is now ready to be viewed and the order forms are available.   On behalf of the teaching team, thank you to our wonderful children who are full of imagination and creativity and thank you to our kindergarten whānau for all your ongoing support.



Ngā mihi nui
Susie


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