The Wairarapa retirement community lounge area, complete with sunny views of the Tararua ranges, displayed over 150 colourful artworks in the exhibition. With a total of just 24 hours of lesson time, the art ranged from oil paintings, printmaking, watercolours, acrylics, charcoal, pencil, a large mural and a two-metre-long dragon sculpture.

Along with residents from neighbouring villages and Age Concern, the diverse group of independent and residents in care are part of the local Wairarapa Arts Outreach (WAO) programme, funded by Masterton District Council, that advocates for ‘lifelong learning’.

WAO’s educator, Natasha Priddle says not only have the group begun learning that a wealth of knowledge is embedded like a time capsule in the language of art, they also have big plans next year.

“Our ambition for the 2025 exhibition is to exhibit in a public gallery space, showcasing each student's development from technical experiments to independent art practice.”

Natasha says the group will be specialising in one art medium next year such as drawing, painting or printmaking.