By Robyn Hancock
There have been many project developments since my chalk poetry blog,
featured in Suite T earlier this year.
More people are regularly following my work, both locally and
online. Judging competitions for Poetry
Planet (a Facebook group) has lead to being published in an anthology, sold
online. The growing respect, recognition
and involvement are forming the foundations for future acclaim.
From the very beginning I have maintained the belief and vision that
community immersion and providing public access to my poetry is a key towards
my pathway to success. The feedback and
support offered from local residents has been very humbling. Knowing that my
words have a positive impact on people, helps keep self doubt in check.
During this year I have run a variety of creative workshops in many
different settings. Working with
Angela Hill, the manager of Lowe Street Community Arts Centre, voluntary
workers and workshop participants, we explored topic themes based on their
experiences and life around the drop in centre. Material was generated for the More Than a Thousand Words art
exhibition and poetry recital held at the end of August.
The workshops
have unearthed an array of literacy abilities within the participants which
were not apparent until the end stages of the project. It has also enabled
others to develop their creative writing interest and abilities. One of the
most rewarding outcomes of this project was witnessing people make their first
steps along their journey into a literate world.
As part of
commemorating NZ Poetry Day this year, I helped organise and host a community
event and poetry competition called ‘Kaiti
WordBeat’. The intent was to provide opportunities for youth and local residents
to share their talent whilst highlighting the positive aspects of our community
in a widespread public setting. Business
owners and local artists were very generous, donating prizes and their time by
participating on the judging panel.
It has been very
satisfying delivering workshops in schools, including my former secondary
school, Lytton High, with a range of different ages and topic areas. I shared
insights about the creative process as a writer by providing examples of my
chalk poetry, around the school. Students were also given the opportunity to
create their own version of ‘street art’.
Children at Gisborne Intermediate (7th and 8th
Grade) showed great passion and potential during a long term project resulting
in generating and evaluating their own styles of poetry presentation. The
future of New Zealand art and poetry is definitely looking promising.
Although I am at the beginning stages of weaving my eclectic artisan
traits, interests in enriching positive well being and teaching background into
a steady livelihood, the outlook is positively realistic. Thankfully my partner
and son have remained supportive of ‘the plan’.
The onward journey is already underway…
__________________________________________________________________
Born and educated in New Zealand, Robyn Hancock began to
identify writing as a core part of her personality from aged seven. For many
reasons, it was a source of comfort and escape throughout childhood and
adolescence. Dressed
in old ball gowns, the window seat in her grandparent's front room was
often transformed into a stage. New
'versions and edits' of the classics and original creative work, were performed
during late afternoon concerts. After
training as an elementary school teacher, literacy and the arts became
her specialist areas. Overseas travel and experiences provided material and
opportunities to develop as a multi-media artisan with a strong interest in
healing and wellbeing. All of which have been integrated in many ways.
Reconnecting with birth family and heritage in
early adulthood massively validated artisan traits. In 2004 Robyn reclaimed her
pre-adoptive name, Hancock. It turns out that aspirations of creating a legacy,
is actually an extension of one already existing...Social
Media Links
gisborneherald.co.nz/entertainment/.../harvesting-words-to-create-collective-poetry
gisborneherald.co.nz/entertainment/2956787-135/poetry-day-in-gisborne
gisborneherald.co.nz/entertainment/2980224-135/creative-collaborations-in-poetry
gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2964631-135/rappers-get-the-kaiti-beat
No comments:
Post a Comment