Clients of Whanganui's Stanford House create artworks for new exhibition

Stanford House clinical nurse manager Peter De Roo and Stanford House Mahi Toi exhibition organiser Marie White. Photo / Supplied

The creation of works in a new exhibition are helping with the recovery of clients of Whanganui Hospital's medium secure forensic unit.

The Stanford House Mahi Toi exhibition at the Community Arts Centre on Taupō Quay until February 27 features more than 40 artworks, including photography, flax weaving, drawings, paintings, graphic art and carving.

The exhibition was organised by registered nurse and creative therapist Marie White. A former secondary school art teacher, White also has experience as an art tutor to prison inmates. She has worked at Whanganui District Health Board for 20 years in the Stanford House facility.

"The clients love what they are doing, and they have been very excited looking forward to the opening of the exhibition," White said.

"It is important for them to move out beyond Stanford House, beyond the hospital grounds.

"This sort of project helps with their recovery. It is about being included, and sharing their experiences with their families and friends.

"They can say 'We did it – please come and see it'.

"Their love of Whanganui comes through in so many of the photos, and there is a lot of emotional content in the artwork. They are extremely proud of their work … and also extremely humbled."

Clients of Stanford House created works for the Mahi Toi exhibition. Photo / Supplied

White said much of the inspiration had come after a walking group was set up at Stanford House last year.

"The idea was to improve mental and physical health through exercise, but then we acquired a camera and soon taking photos became the most popular part of the walks."

White will choose a handful of the artworks to submit to the pattillo Arts Review, Whanganui's biggest arts competition, and there are feedback forms at the entrance to the exhibition where visitors can vote for their favourite piece.

Among the works on display are a series of pieces representing the values of Stanford House which include working collaboratively and positively with others, and working together to achieve shared goals, emphasising trust and relationships. The Stanford House vision is of "a safe place where people live, learn and grow in the wider community".

The opening on Tuesday, February 16, was blessed by Stanford House cultural adviser Royce Ponga and attended by Whanganui DHB chief executive Russell Simpson, who said the exhibition exemplified the DHB's values, "with both staff and tangata whaiora/clients ensuring it will be a success".

"The photos, artwork, weaving and carvings are of high quality and depict the community in which the residents reside," Simpson said.

The exhibition was supported by Whanganui District Council's Creative Communities funding, which covered the cost of framing and the two-week hire of the Community Arts Centre.