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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.

  • Marci Tackett will be based in the Printmaking Studio on Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm

  • Leo Semau will be in the Hot Arts Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm

  • 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 Ford a

“I enjoy the science involved in crafting an artwork.”

Mel Ford graduated from Ilam in 1989 and has worked as an arts educator and facilitator in a variety of creative spaces for more than 30 years.

Wishing to contribute to the conversation surrounding contemporary ceramic practice in Aotearoa and beyond, Mel has been a regular contributor to the Portage Ceramic Awards for many years. In association with this annual event, she has been awarded The Medalta Artist’s Residency Award, a Merit Award and an honorable mention.

Her work was included in Slip Cast - A Survey of Contemporary Ceramic Practice at the Dowse Art Museum and forms part of the permanent collection at the Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics in Whanganui.

With an interest in working with clay and ceramics at the interface between the natural and manufactured worlds, she has often incorporated discarded ceramic waste into her work. Exploring the idea that change is constant, her work bears witness to the effect of time and other forces upon the material.

In a quest to capture more specific moments of time, Mel has begun to incorporate glass as a component in her work.
Most recently, Mel has been invited to travel to the porcelain capital of the world Jingdezhen,
China to take part in an international exchange of contemporary ceramic practice.

https://www.melfordartist.com/

Mel Ford will be in the Ceramics Studio on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm

 

Leo Semau

Leo aLeo 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.

Leo has been commissioned by the Wellington City Council to sculpt a large-scale Oamaru stone sculpture as part of a three-year project connected to the Pasifika Festival, creating opportunities for public engagement with the creative process.

Leo’s personal practice centres on sculpture, with a strong focus on hands-on casting, carving, and sculpting.
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.

Passionate about teaching and collaboration, Leo 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

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/  

[Photo credit: Diane Stoppard]

Marci Tackett will be based in the Printmaking Studio on Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm
(Please note: Marci's hours may differ in Term 3)