Central to The Learning Connexion’s philosophy is the notion of pushing beyond your comfort zone; of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It doesn’t come easily to most of us. Yet taking risks is precisely what propels us forward, not just in our art, but across our whole lives.

Diploma student Danielle Burns recently risked success and it paid real dividends, both in terms of confidence and income.

Central to The Learning Connexion’s philosophy is the notion of pushing beyond your comfort zone; of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It doesn’t come easily to most of us. Yet taking risks is precisely what propels us forward, not just in our art, but across our whole lives.

Diploma student Danielle Burns recently risked success and it paid real dividends, both in terms of confidence and income.

Learning Connexion Graduate and Wellington based developer Rox Flame is on top of his game.

He has just won the top prize in the KiwiGameStarter awards for his interactive video game DynaBrick.

This prestigious award was set up to fast track emerging developers into an international market.

Learning Connexion Graduate and Wellington based developer Rox Flame is on top of his game.

He has just won the top prize in the KiwiGameStarter awards for his interactive video game DynaBrick.

This prestigious award was set up to fast track emerging developers into an international market.

A collection of 75 documentaries and artist profiles created by The Learning Connexion School of Art and Creativity are to be accepted into the archives of Nga Taonga Sound and Vision for preservation.

A collection of 75 documentaries and artist profiles created by The Learning Connexion School of Art and Creativity are to be accepted into the archives of Nga Taonga Sound and Vision for preservation.

Documentary tutor Kate Logan recently went on the trip of a lifetime, sailing on a traditional vaka from Fiji to Bougainville, documenting the acquisition and sustainable shipping of organic fair trade cocoa beans from a local Bougainvillean farmer back to the Wellington Chocolate Factory in New Zealand.

Documentary tutor Kate Logan recently went on the trip of a lifetime, sailing on a traditional vaka from Fiji to Bougainville, documenting the acquisition and sustainable shipping of organic fair trade cocoa beans from a local Bougainvillean farmer back to the Wellington Chocolate Factory in New Zealand.

Keith runs the Grinter Glass studio in Whangarei, where his focus is on developing his glass blowing skills, particularly the shard pick-up technique. He has worked in a range of media including glass (painted and blown), oil painting and sculpture from recycled materials.

While working independently as an artist Keith also tutors students of The Learning Connexion, passing on this highly popular and beautiful art medium to the eager participants attending his weekend classes.

Keith runs the Grinter Glass studio in Whangarei, where his focus is on developing his glass blowing skills, particularly the shard pick-up technique. He has worked in a range of media including glass (painted and blown), oil painting and sculpture from recycled materials.

While working independently as an artist Keith also tutors students of The Learning Connexion, passing on this highly popular and beautiful art medium to the eager participants attending his weekend classes.

Mandy Hague has had an interest in natural history for as long as she can remember. Her fascination related not only to how things looked and acted, but to their evolutionary adaptations and physiological make-up. “I caught up with a lady the other day who was a neighbour of mine many years ago,” Mandy recalls. “She told me that she remembered me as a child picking up roadkill. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I still do that!”

Mandy Hague has had an interest in natural history for as long as she can remember. Her fascination related not only to how things looked and acted, but to their evolutionary adaptations and physiological make-up. “I caught up with a lady the other day who was a neighbour of mine many years ago,” Mandy recalls. “She told me that she remembered me as a child picking up roadkill. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I still do that!”

For someone who suffers from seasickness, being out on the open ocean in what is essentially a double-hulled canoe during stormy weather seems like a cruel joke. But, for The Learning Connexion’s intrepid documentary tutor Kate Logan, it’s what being a film-maker is all about.

For someone who suffers from seasickness, being out on the open ocean in what is essentially a double-hulled canoe during stormy weather seems like a cruel joke. But, for The Learning Connexion’s intrepid documentary tutor Kate Logan, it’s what being a film-maker is all about.

Last month The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art brought together a panel of speakers to talk about a subject that effects most artists and art students alike, the subject of copyright.

Last month The Learning Connexion School of Creativity and Art brought together a panel of speakers to talk about a subject that effects most artists and art students alike, the subject of copyright.

Anna Jenkins volunteered to join the art department team to get some real world work experience in a field she was interested in, helping with both construction and painting. The brief was to build a medieval tavern and bedroom inside Avalon Studio.

Anna Jenkins volunteered to join the art department team to get some real world work experience in a field she was interested in, helping with both construction and painting. The brief was to build a medieval tavern and bedroom inside Avalon Studio.

From ceramics to jewellery, Gemma Goodwin’s art journey has encompassed a good deal of exploration and challenge as well as bursts of originality and flair.

From ceramics to jewellery, Gemma Goodwin’s art journey has encompassed a good deal of exploration and challenge as well as bursts of originality and flair.