Winners announced for Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists 2022

After receiving more than 150 entries to this year’s competition, the winners for Re:ACTIVATE Sculpture and Re:ACTIVATE Mural have been selected.

Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists is an annual competition open to youth aged between 5 and 18 in Canterbury. Entrants this year were asked to respond to the SCAPE Public Art Season 2022 theme of Sweat Equity, considering the sub-themes of labour and the body, virtuality, and obsolescence. There was an incredibly high level of creativity and sophisticated ideas displayed across all the submissions, and SCAPE Public Art is delighted to announce the winners for 2022.

Along with its industry partners, SCAPE Public Art mentors the winning artists to produce their designs for public display in Hagley Park. All Re:ACTIVATE artworks will be available to view for the duration of SCAPE Public Art Season 2022. Concepts from the shortlisted Re:ACTIVATE submissions will be on display at Tūranga Central Library throughout the season.

Click here to download the full media release (PDF)
Click here to download the full media release (MS Word)

Re:ACTIVATE – Calling Aspiring Artists

Re:ACTIVATE – Calling Aspiring Artists

Re:ACTIVATE 2021 winners with their installed artworks from left: Te Ao Rangimarie Davis, Tama-nui-te-rā 2021, aged 8, Te Pā o Rākaihautū School. Sienna Oshannessey and Agatha Weston,  Remembering our roots 2021, aged 16 from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.

Invitation to Young Artists to Present Public Art in Hagley Park

SCAPE Public Art is inviting aspiring artists aged 18 and under to submit their ideas for an artwork to be produced for a public space during SCAPE season 2022, 5 November 2022 – 29 January 2023.

Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists is designed to nurture, grow and promote the creative arts by mentoring and giving opportunities to talented young artists. It is an annual competition and exhibition open to youth aged between 5 and 18 in Canterbury. Participating students will respond to a brief and submit designs for the chance to have their artworks produced for public display.

“SCAPE Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists is now in its seventh year, we are proud to be involved and can’t wait to see where the young people’s imaginations take them and what designs they come up with in response to this year’s theme” Helen Trappitt, director of Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers.

This is an opportunity for young artists to explore the creative process and come up with a design for an artwork that shows their unique perspective on the theme. There are two categories open for entry this year: Re:ACTIVATE Sculpture and Re:ACTIVATE Mural. Re:ACTIVATE Sculpture is a competition for individual students to develop an idea for sculptural artworks, which the winners will get to create under the guidance of SCAPE Public Art’s expert industry partners. Re:ACTIVATE Mural supported by Resene is a competition for groups of between four to eight students, who will work together alongside a local mural artist to create a design for a mural that will be displayed on billboards in Hagley Park.
Re:ACTIVATE 2021 winners from left: Sienna Oshannessey, Te Ao Rangimarie Davis, and Agatha Weston.

Next Steps 

Read through the brief and start exploring design concepts based on the theme and sub-themes.

The theme of this year’s SCAPE Public Art Season is Sweat Equity, and there are several sub-themes that participants might like to explore. In considering their artwork, students may think about labour and the body: the work done by a person or people in their family, the idea of working hard to succeed, and what the impact of a life of hard work might be. Other themes include illusion and virtuality: how a lot of our modern lives are lived online, and what information about us may be out there without us even knowing it; or obsolescence: exploring the boundary between the digital and physical world, and how social media, online gaming and the virtual space is no longer just a tool for entertainment but a space we inhabit.
Sarah Ackerley is the new Education and Community Engagement Manager at SCAPE Public Art. With a background in Fine Arts and education, she will be sharing her expertise with schools and students. Sarah is available for outreach visits to your school to discuss the themes and work on design concepts with students. Click here to book a session or email sarah@scapepublicart.org.nz
Bookings will be open soon for the upcoming SCAPE education programme, 17 October – 2 December 2022. This year’s programme includes art-making activities inspired by some of our legacy works as well as sessions working with our community-engaged artist, Dr Jo Burzynska. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information! This popular education programme is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the SCAPE season artworks and take part in creative educational workshops.
Entries for Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists open on 29 July and close on 5 September. Find the full brief and details for entry here: Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists 2022.

We are looking for art-loving individuals to join our team!

Education Internship

Great opportunity for an arts-loving person, to support the planning and delivery of the Education Programme for the SCAPE Season 2022 and aligned activities throughout the year, assisting in the creation and organising of education resources and materials and supporting the Education & Community Engagement Manager developing Education Resources for artworks.
Read the full description here and how to apply!


Graphic Design Internship

This is a great opportunity for an arts-loving graphic designer to develop skills in a highly creative environment, where you will get to work on a range of print and digital projects, such as invitations, marketing materials, assisting in the creation of materials for Education & Community Engagement programmes and online marketing strategies.

If you are keen to learn more get in touch with Jade and send a CV to jade@scapepublicart.org.nz

Art, Learning & Wellbeing Programme FREE at Tūranga

SCAPE’s popular free Education Programme is back for 2021 and – with demand already high – we encourage you to book now to avoid disappointment. Join us at our dedicated SCAPE activity space at Tūranga. This year’s classes are based around SCAPE’s permanent and temporary artworks for this Season.

Book now

Season 2021 Education Resource (PDF)

Creative Mondays

This opportunity involves a creative educational and experiential day out that includes:

  • An artful experience – taking part in a stimulating art activity that connects with our SCAPE artworks, this includes visiting the artworks

  • A Photography Skills Challenge with the Learning Specialists at Tūranga – an engaging hands-on photography session where students learn and develop a range of skills to complete tasks set throughout the building

This opportunity is offered on a Monday to Year 5-6 students.
Available 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November, 6 December, am and pm sessions on rotation,
maximum 30 students per class.

If you would like to discuss your options or have any questions, please email: education@scapepublicart.org.nz or call 03 365 7990.

For all education enquiries please email education@scapepublicart.org.nz or phone 03 365 7990

Season 2021 Education Resource (PDF)

Community Engagement Project in week one of Term 4

Community Engagement Project in week one of Term 4.

Early booking is advised. Students can enjoy a very unique opportunity to work with local artist Olivia Webb, on her Community-Engaged art project. They will make pieces that contribute to her temporary public artwork.

Book now

Season 2021 Education Resource (PDF)

VAKA ‘A HINA Activity

During the Season, take part in an activity based on Christchurch’s newest permanent artwork VAKA ‘A HINA by artist Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine. Students will learn about the mythology that inspired this artwork and creatively respond to it through making art.

VAKA ‘A HINA Activity

Rainbow Loop Activity

Inspired by Judy Millar’s colourful Call me Snake sculpture, learn how to make your own rainbow loop! Featured in Trish Gribben and Phillip Fickling’s book, SWELL: The Art of Judy Millar: A Pop Up Book, you can make your own rainbow pop up, with a downloadable template here.