Powerful stories and inspiring work shared at Ara exhibition   

Inspiring work and moving personal stories were front and centre at a special exhibition that opened at Ara Institute of Canterbury last week.   

Friends, whānau, and fellow ākonga gathered in D Block to celebrate the creative achievements of around 30 students from the New Zealand Certificate in Creativity and the New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design.    

The exhibition, open for several weeks, showcases a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, textiles, and digital design - with many ākonga working across multiple formats.   

Programme leaders Deborah Marshall and John Osborne thanked supporters and acknowledged the commitment of the ākonga, encouraging them to reflect on the growth and resilience behind their finished work.   

Academic Manager for Art and Design Kathryn McCully said the certificate programmes were a pathway for ākonga to step into further certificate study or Ara's Bachelor Design in either Visual Communication, Visual Art or Fashion Technology and Design. But, whatever their future path, she urged them to continue to grow in their creative practice.  

Speaking on behalf of the cohort, Certificate in Creativity student Reid Anderson emphasised that everyone in the room had a voice. He described his study experience as “powerful, surprising, and life changing.”

“I might not be the most confident person to talk about this with you, but perhaps I am the right person for this speech,” he said. “The certificate taught me to face my fears and explore creativity in ways I never thought I could.” 

He encouraged others to consider the programme, calling it a valuable path for “anyone looking to grow into the person they really want to be.” 

“A lot of us did things we’d never done before — whether it was group work, life drawing, independent research, or simply threading a needle. We faced challenges, and we overcame them,” he said. 

The New Zealand Certificate in Creativity offers a foundation in creative thinking and hands-on experience, preparing ākonga for further study or a career in the creative industries. The programme focuses on problem solving, communication, and visual exploration across a range of media.   

The New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design builds practical digital skills while nurturing curiosity and creative exploration. Learners tackle real-world design challenges, applying theory to areas that inspire them. The programme supports learners' individuality and provides space to explore through research and hands-on projects, enabling them to deepen their understanding of visual design and develop unique creative solutions that reflect both technical skills and conceptual understanding. 

Over six transformative months these accessible programmes help emerging creatives unlock tools and techniques to discover new possibilities - both in their studies and beyond.  

Find out more about these study paths (available for a July start) here: Art and Design - Ara