Painting gifted to primary school

A beautiful three-panel mural that depicts Mahurangi scenery and a large kotare (kingfisher) was unveiled inside the senior staffroom at Warkworth School on November 12.

The school is a fitting home for the work given it was painted by members of the community, including local children, under the guidance of Mahurangi West artist Noila Souza as part of the Mahurangi Artist’s Studio Trail (MM, Apr 2).

Warkworth School principal Karney Dawson, who was at the unveiling, said the mural lit up the whole room and could be enjoyed from inside and outside the building.

“It being local, that’s really important to us. It’s our place, a connection to the Mahurangi region. It’s like a window in our staffroom out to where we’d probably prefer to be.”

Dawson said it was also important that there was a plaque next to the mural because over time, as people leave the school, the story of how it came to be could be lost.

Supported by Creative New Zealand, the mural was painted over five days at the Warkworth Town Hall with passers-by more than welcome to pick up a paintbrush and contribute to the panels.

Brazilian-born artist Souza, who has lived in New Zealand for eight years, led the project and was inspired by the view from her farm that looks out to Mahurangi West Regional Park, as well as the kotare she saw each morning.

“It was heartwarming to see the enthusiasm and excitement as the mural came to life. Art has the power to inspire, ignite imagination and foster a sense of community. I was grateful to be able to share my colours with the world in this way,” Souza said.

Her next work is another mural for the school and will be just as vibrant, but even bigger and painted directly onto a wall outside.

The idea is to show that despite the senior and junior campuses being divided by Hill Street, the two sides of the school are still connected.

“The kids are going to paint with me so I’ll have plenty of volunteers,” she said.