Textile artist Anna Craw is hosting her first solo exhibition at Artsenta in Princes St with more than 25 embroidered artworks that were inspired by nature.
The exhibition started on Monday and will continue until next Friday.
Ms Craw said she had spent about 30 hours on each piece, coming in to Artsenta every Friday and chipping away at them one at a time.
"I started it as a Christmas present for my mum and I just really enjoyed making it, so I just made more and more."
She looked online at pictures of nature and once she got the shapes in her mind, she drew them on to the fabric, she said.
"They’re mostly inspired by shapes in nature — like the green ones are inspired by moss and lichen and are like coral leafs and under-seascapes."
The process of making the works had been very therapeutic for her, she said.
"And of course I get to come to Artsenta and do it, which is really helpful for me."
Artsenta director Paul Smith said the art studio provided a space for about 200 people who were usually seeking help for a mental health issue or addiction to come and create art.
"The process of art making is very therapeutic, so there’s a lot of benefits for people who come out of being here whether it’s learning something new or connecting with people, just feeling safe and accepted for who they are."
There had been some uncertainty about funding for the organisation, he said.
"One of our funds from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage is going to end in the end of July next year and that’s an outreach programme in North Otago and Central that caters for the regions.
"They’re areas where there is not many services and there is quite a high level of need and we are worried about what’s going to happen when that funding runs out because there's no easy replacement."
He was hoping he could talk to its existing funders, which included Te Whatu Ora, and work with them to keep Artsenta going, he said.
