My Account
Hungry Creek marketing coordinator Rohan Arlidge and Director of Studies Ruth Tait under the art and craft school’s iconic sign.
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.
Mr Venter, who only retired as head of school last year at the age of 86, says it’s sad that the Puhoi campus has to close, but it makes sense for the school to consolidate in one spot.
“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 increasingly difficult and inefficient.
The Puhoi site has been sold and the new owners are hoping to use the 10 buildings on the eight-hectare 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 Puhoi, 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 fabulous ‘hands-on, learn by doing’ philosophy and want to transfer that into the city.”
The move coincides with Hungry Creek gaining approval to grant tertiary qualifications. Starting next year, it will offer a Bachelor in Visual Arts in association with Otago Polytechnic, in addition to its existing Certificate and Diploma courses in jewellery and art and 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.
