About 30 Pasifika pupils attended music, spoken word poetry and printmaking workshops at the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic yesterday, which allowed them to experiment and try new art-related ideas, guided by positive, enthusiastic role models.
Dunedin School of Art head Leoni Schmidt said the three-day programme was last held at the polytechnic in 2011. She expected this year's programme would also be a good opportunity for Pasifika pupils.
''We hope that all the students will feel welcome in our school and will consider tertiary education as part of their futures.
''Art makes us rich and imagines new ways of living and being. 'Come and explore this', we say to students,'' she said yesterday.
Since 2001, Tautai's Fresh Horizon workshops have given more than 1000 pupils a stimulating art experience and reinforced the value of continued education.
Workshop tutors included Pacific performance poet and author Daren Kamali, Pacific performer and poet Grace Taylor, wearable arts artist Siliga David Setoga, printmaker Tere Moeroa and musician Posenai Mavaega.
The programme moves to the Southland Institute of Technology in Invercargill from April 29 to May 1.
