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The Hungry Creek Art & Craft School is closing its Puhoi campus at the end of this month and relocating to Glenfield on the North Shore.
The school, which was founded at Puhoi 35 years ago by South African artist Andrew Venter, has had a North Shore base since 2007 and the bulk of its 50 or so students live in the city, with only a handful coming from the Rodney and Hibiscus Coast areas.
Mr Venter, who only retired as head of school last year at the age of 86, says it’s sad that Puhoi has to close, but it makes sense for the school to consolidate in one spot these days.
“It’s a shame, because the Puhoi campus had a lot going for it, in a lovely setting. It’s one of the most beautiful properties I’ve ever been in,” he says. “But it’s a practical move, the school has to move with the times. Young people seem to be staying at home and not having cars these days. In the past, we had no problems getting students to the Puhoi campus. But over the past few years it’s become an increasing problem.”
He added that the last economic downturn and subsequent funding cuts had made having two campuses increasing difficult and inefficient.
The Puhoi site has been sold and the new owners are hoping to use the 10 buildings on the 20-acre bush site as artists’ studios.
The new Hungry Creek headquarters will be in a large building at 81 Hillside Road, just off Tristram Avenue.
Marketing coordinator Rohan Arlidge says that while staff and students will miss the peace and tranquillity of the Puhoi campus, it is going to be better for students.
“It’s exciting to be going down to the city, closer to the art hub,” he says. “We have a fantastic new building, full of light, it’s a really good space. We’ve still got that that fabulous hands-on, learn by doing philosophy and want to transfer that into the city.”
The move coincides with Hungry Creek gaining degree approval for the first time. Starting in 2016, it will be offering a Bachelor in Visual Arts in association with Otago Polytechnic, in addition to its existing Certificate and Diploma courses in Jewellery and Art & Craft.
Hungry Creek’s Puhoi campus will be celebrated and farewelled on Saturday November 28, with its end of year exhibition and student graduation in the afternoon, followed by The Last Hurrah at 6pm, a celebration with speeches and live music open to anyone with a connection to or interest in the school.
The end of year exhibition will then be open to the public daily from Monday November 30 to Saturday December 5, before the campus closes for good.
Info: Hungry Creek Art & Craft School, 09 422 0752
