Artists in Residence at The Learning Connexion
We’re delighted to welcome back three former Creativity Kaiako (tutors) as our current Artists in Residence at The Learning Connexion. Each artist brings extensive experience, a strong connection to our community, and a passion for creative exploration.
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Marci Tackett will be based in the Printmaking Studio on Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm
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Leo Semau will be in the Hot Arts Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm
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Mel Ford will be in the Ceramics Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm
As well as working on their own creative projects, each Artist in Residence is available during these times to assist students with their skills, offer guidance, and share their knowledge. Their presence offers a unique opportunity for students to gain fresh insights, try new techniques, and connect with experienced makers in a collaborative studio setting.
Please note Marci's hours may differ during Term 3. Please enquire with Admissions for more information.
Mel Ford
Mel is an experienced Ceramicist having exhibited throughout New Zealand and won many awards. Mel enjoys the science involved in crafting an artwork. Many of her processes frequently include harnessing such elements as heat, volume, time and sometimes gravity.
Mel Ford graduated with a B.F.A. from the University of Canterbury in 1989.
Part of her creative practice examines the utility of common ceramic objects which she makes or finds as discarded waste.
A regular contributor to The Portage Ceramic Awards for more than a decade, she was awarded The Medalta Artists Residency, a Merit award and an honourable mention in association with this event.
Her work was included in Slip Cast - A Survey of Contemporary NZ Ceramics at the Dowse Museum and is held in various collections including a work commissioned for The Quartz Museum in Whanganui.
https://www.melfordartist.com/
Mel Ford will be in the Ceramics Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm
Leo Semau
Leo began his creative journey as a student at The Learning Connexion, where he discovered a passion for sculpture.
He later returned as a valued Creativity Kaiako, guiding others in their artistic development. Now, alongside his role as an Artist in Residence, Leo is also pursuing a Master of Fine Arts.
With broad experience across the creative sector, Leo has contributed to the development and conservation of public sculpture and worked with diverse communities to support and grow their creative practices.
He is highly skilled in bronze casting - a traditional sculptural process involving the pouring of molten bronze into a mold to create lasting, detailed artworks.
Leo’s personal practice centres on sculpture, with a strong focus on hands-on casting, carving, and sculpting. Passionate about teaching and collaboration, he brings warmth, technical skill, and a deep sense of generosity to every creative space he engages with.
Leo Semau will be in the Hot Arts Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm
Marci Tackett
Marci Tackett is a multidisciplinary artist and much-valued printmaking tutor at The Learning Connexion, where she has taught and inspired students for many years. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Marci has lived and worked in Aotearoa since 2006, developing a rich and varied creative practice that spans drawing, printmaking, and installation.
She holds a BFA in Printmaking and a BA in Humanities from the University of Colorado, and a Diploma of Art and Creativity (Advanced) from TLC.
Marci’s work has been exhibited widely across New Zealand and the United States, including solo exhibitions in Wellington and Queenstown, and she has participated in residencies in both countries - most recently as the 2024 Marsden College Artist in Residence.
Her accolades include being a finalist multiple times in the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards and a recipient of the prestigious Kala Art Institute Fellowship in California. In 2018 she was awarded a Merit Grant for a residency at the Vermont Studio Center, and in 2019 co-created the interactive exhibition Selective Memory with printmaker Toni Mosley.
Marci brings depth, knowledge, and warmth to her studio practice and continues to support others on their creative journeys through her teaching and artistic engagement.
https://marcitackett.com/
Marci Tackett will be based in the Printmaking Studio on Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm
(Please note: Marci's hours may differ in Term 3)