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Dan W

Dan Wilkinson

Toi Kaiako - Onsite Drawing

Dip Art & Creativity (Hons), Cert VCD

Teaching art is something Dan loves to do. He has spent a third of his life passing on artistic and creative knowledge and enjoys watching students progress and develop at their own pace. Dan likes to create an environment where students can express who they are, as well as what they see and feel.

He encourages a balance of working intuitively and developing skills that help to create works that are aesthetically pleasing. Dan's own work mirrors his teaching style; he is constantly evolving as he explores surface and media to satisfy his creative needs. Most of his work is driven by his love and passion for the environment he is surrounded by - Wellington's harbour, and the west and south coast.

d.wilkinson@tlc.ac.nz

Nikkie Gibson3

Nikkie Gibson

Toi Kaiako - Onsite Jewellery

Nikkie is an award-winning contemporary jeweller with over 20 years of experience. Her work is inspired by the organic forms of Art Nouveau and the rigid, structured aesthetics of industrial and mechanical objects.
Passionate about craftsmanship and creativity, Nikkie is dedicated to helping students discover the art of jewellery making, no matter their skill level.

n.gibson@tlc.ac.nz

Naomi

Naomi Hamlin

Kids Holiday Programme & Kids Term class Toi Kaiako

Naomi brings a wealth of teaching experience from her years working in primary and intermediate schools, along with a genuine passion for nurturing creativity in tamariki. Her warm and encouraging approach helps young artists feel confident to explore, experiment, and express themselves through a variety of creative activities.

Having completed her Level 5 Diploma in Creativity at The Learning Connexion, Naomi combines her classroom expertise with her own creative journey. She’s excited to share this passion with the next generation through our kids’ art programmes, fostering imagination, curiosity, and a love for making art.

n.hamlin@tlc.ac.nz

Sophie pic 2021 1

Sophie Saunders

Creativity Kaiako - Advanced Diploma Coordinator

MFA (Hons)

Having had a loose and arty upbringing with a musician father and potter mother, plus a rather rigorous art school education, Sophie has always had the tendency to question things and look for the higher purpose behind everything. She has exhibited widely over 25 years and has taught at various institutions for the last 16 years.

Always endeavouring to be true to herself, Sophie currently adheres mercilessly to a rather pared-down subject matter in her painting in a desire to get to the nitty gritty. Her view in her teaching and painting is that whatever feels right, one must follow it, leaving all else aside. This is the key to beginning to be what we really are.

s.saunders@tlc.ac.nz

Simon

Simon Hurley

Toi Kaiako (Mixed Media) & Toi Technician (Printmaking)

Simon has been part of The Learning Connexion team for the past three years. With a strong background in art, particularly 3D - he began his creative journey studying Craft Design at Whitireia Polytechnic straight out of school and later went on to study art and design at E.I.T. in Hawke’s Bay.

Simon is passionate about found object sculpture and enjoys repurposing discarded or overlooked materials. He thrives on the challenge of combining objects in unexpected ways, with a keen eye for composition, colour, and interactivity.

He believes art should be fun and accessible, and he holds a strong belief that everyone is inherently creative. With the right encouragement and environment, creativity can truly flourish.

s.hurley@tlc.ac.nz

AlanP web

Alan Poole

Toi Kaiako - Digital Art and Design & Creativity Kaiako (Distance Delivery)

BA (Hons), MA, Dip Art and Creativity (Hons)

As well as tutoring at TLC, Alan also works as a freelance illustrator. He has worked on a variety of projects, both in print media and in the digital domain in the form of web-based interactive digital products.

When tutoring students, Alan prefers to discuss with them what their project is and to offer advice and techniques that will help them bring their project to fruition. He believes that this focus on a student’s personal goals motivates them to explore their own creative ideas further, ensuring they don't lose what it is that makes their work unique and novel, especially in a commercial context.

a.poole@tlc.ac.nz

Suzy Costello

Suzy Costello

Creativity Kaiako - Distance Delivery

Suzy enjoys both printmaking and sculpture and at the core of her art practice is place and space. Inspiration is easy to find living on the eastern edge of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, surrounded by beech-forested hills, the sea and family!
 
Mentoring distance delivery students across Aotearoa feels like a privilege for Suzy as she is invited to share in another person’s artistic processes, ideas and the act of creating. It is very personal and satisfying and broadens each of our own outlooks.

s.costello@tlc.ac.nz

Alayna Flighty2

Alayna Flighty

Creativity Kaiako - Distance Delivery

Alayna has been captivated by the world of art and creativity from a young age. She believes that everyone has an inner artist waiting to be discovered and nurtured, and she is passionate about inspiring - and being inspired by - the creative journeys of others.

Alayna's artistic process is guided by fluidity and intuition. Drawing inspiration from the world around her and the everyday moments shared with others, Alayna approaches each piece with curiosity and openness, allowing marks and colours to flow naturally from within onto the canvas.

a.flighty@tlc.ac.nz

Jo Grove photo
Marie Lotz 1

Marie Lotz

Creativity Kaiako - Distance Delivery

Advanced Diploma in Art & Creativity (Level 7)

Marie works in the space between drawing, painting, and textile art, frequently sparked by poetry or the world around her. She enjoys blending elements to create layered, tactile works that satisfies her creatively.

m.lotz@tlc.ac.nz

Mel Ford

Mel Ford

Toi Technician - Ceramics

BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts

Mel Ford is a ceramic artist whose work explores the utility, history, and transformation of everyday ceramic objects, both handmade and found. A graduate of the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1989, her creative practice often engages with discarded or overlooked items, giving them new context and meaning through thoughtful reimagining.

Mel has been a regular contributor to the prestigious Portage Ceramic Awards for over a decade, receiving a Merit Award, Honourable Mention, and the Medalta Artists Residency in recognition of her work. Her ceramics have been featured in major exhibitions, including Slip Cast – A Survey of Contemporary NZ Ceramics at The Dowse Art Museum, and her work is held in several notable collections, including a commissioned piece for The Quartz Museum in Whanganui.

Mel has been a dedicated Creativity Kaiako at The Learning Connexion for many years, where she has supported countless students on their creative journeys. She now takes on the role of Toi Kaiako, continuing to share her depth of knowledge, experience, and passion for ceramics with students across all levels.

m.ford@tlc.ac.nz

Justine T

Justine Turnbull

Toi Kaiako - Painting

MFA

Justine is a neo-romantic painter and graduated with an MFA from Dunedin School of Art. She lives in Wellington with her two beautiful children. Justine is a Painting Creativity Kaiako at the Learning Connexion. You can view her work at www.justine-turnbull-art.com

j.turnbull@tlc.ac.nz

Dennis Poole

Creativity Kaiako - Distance Delivery

Dennis Poole is an experienced illustrator and designer who has run a successful illustration business, producing work for educational publishers and international clients.

Specialising in visual literacy, illustration, design, and 2D animation, Dennis brings a strong understanding of visual storytelling, metaphor, and working to briefs. His commercial experience spans character design, maps, diagrams, backdrops, and digital illustrations in a range of styles to meet diverse client needs.

As a tutor, Dennis shares his industry knowledge and creative process, emphasising the importance of clear communication, adaptability, and delivering professional, high-quality work. His real-world insights offer students valuable guidance on navigating the creative industry and developing their own visual voice.

d.poole@tlc.ac.nz