Meet Our Amazing Tutors

Originally from Poland Aga has been in NZ since 2019. Using age-old techniques, Aga's wool and fibre creations are unique and colourful. Aga teaches a range of felting and fibre workshops.

Mixed media artist Amanda loves using a variety of media, including drawing, painting, and ceramic sculpture, and believes that nothing should be off-limits. Most of her inspiration is drawn from the natural environment, whether it be bush, beach or her own backyard. Earthy tones, natural textures and shapes are a common thread throughout her work, and figurative elements are integral to her artistic expression. Intrigued by the metamorphic changes in nature caused by the effects of fire, water and wind, erosion and decay, Amanda's ceramic work, which is mostly sculptural, often incorporates various natural materials as embellishments, including copper, feathers and wood.

Annmaree is a New Zealand artist specialising in illustration, sketching, and landscape painting with a strong Kiwiana influence. A largely self-taught artist, she has exhibited in local galleries, received several art awards, and won the People’s Choice Award at Mairangi Bay Arts Centre in 2022. With over six years of teaching experience, Annmaree enjoys guiding young artists in realistic drawing, illustration, and watercolour techniques. She currently teaches illustration classes at Estuary Arts for students aged 8–18 years, encouraging creativity, confidence, and artistic growth in a supportive environment.

Ara is a ceramic artist orignally from Spain. Relocating to NZ in 2014, Ara obtained a Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) from the Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin. From there I began teaching ceramics in studios on the North Shore of Auckland. I believe in a creative and respectful learning environment, where students can explore their creativity at their own pace.

Sarah is a passionate art tutor with over 10 years of experience in teaching various art forms. She believes in nurturing creativity in her students.

Di Toi is an emerging potter with a modern contemporary style. She has great attention to detail and her pottery is finished to a fine standard. Di loves experimenting with new shapes on the wheel and when it comes to glazing she enjoys overlapping glazes to get that lovely blend of colours. Altering forms after they have been created on the wheel is another interest the she enjoys developing.

Heather Watt is a mixed media artist living in Whangamatā and has been creating artwork for as long as she can remember. Her eclectic style incorporates collage materials and a variety of paint mediums. Acrylic, ink, materials, papers, found objects and rescued wood are used to multi-layer and develop texture throughout her work.

Ingrid’s art creates a world of such surreal beauty and elegance it’s tempting to think its creation is sublimely effortless. The reality is quite different, and her art is the product of an exacting process drawn from her formal training.
After studying Art at Westminster University, London, Ingrid completed an Illustration degree at De Montfort University. Today, her work is displayed in private collections around the world especially in New Zealand, her home since 2000.

I am driven by a deep passion for expressing my creativity, recognising beauty in nature, capturing and showcasing different perspectives. Art is an area where you can continuously learn over time.” So says Jane Tian, a self-taught artist from Gulf Harbour

Kate is a AUT lecturer in marketing and psychology, following her passion for painting after hours.
Having studied drawing and painting for over a decade, Kate now paints as much as possible and believes that everyone can learn to draw and paint to discover their own artistic style.

Kim is an experienced ceramic and special effects tutor having taught the ceramic diploma students at Hungry Creek and the SPFX sculpting class at Cut Above Academy.
Kim holds a fine art degree in Ceramics, Painting and Art History, a Masters in Arts Management, a diploma in Production design and Sculpting and a teachers degree.

Klara Rider is a professional photographer and visual artist based in Gulf Harbour. Originally from Hungary, her European heritage continues to influence her artistic practice. Klara specialises in portraiture, commercial branding, product and interior photography, and also works across painting, mosaic, and alcohol ink mixed media. Her photography has been recognised by the NZIPP Iris Awards and the International Black & White Spider Awards, and she received the Estuary Arts Members Merit Award 2025 for her mosaic work. She brings warmth, creativity, and professional expertise to both her art practice and teaching. To view more of her work, go to www.klarapix.co.nz

Livia immigrated to New Zealand in 2013. She started to get into clay while living in Wellington, NZ. She then went back to China’s ceramic capital Jingdezhen (景德镇) many times to get formal training. She also attended classes and workshops in NZ, therefore, trained and influenced by both China and NZ styles. She works in both throwing and hand-building. Besides clay, she also practices in many other art and craft forms, including wood-carving, print-making, etc.

Nicola creates vibrant, contemporary landscapes, working primarily in soft pastel and oil pastel with mixed media. Fascinated with colour and texture and how it changes with the light. In 2012 she was the recipient of the annual PANZ scholarship and studied with multi award winning pastel artist Tony Allain.
Nicola delights in passing on her knowledge to others, helping them to find a style they love to work in and pointing them to other pastel artists who might inspire them.

Pauline is a trained teacher, well skilled in identifying student’s learning points and breaking them into small achievable steps. Her main passion is watercolour painting with pastel painting running a close second. By drawing realistically Pauline believes students can then paint or draw anything, with confidence built on a complete understanding of the drawing process.

Sandra Mather is a passionate ceramic artist specialising in hand-building. "I would like my students to mainly have fun and take something home with them"

Sonya is also a self taught poet and a milliner. As well as mosaics she also crochets, sews, has owned a childrenswear range and made hats for Saudi-Arabian princesses through Vinka Lucas.
Her poetry has been published by MindFood Magazine and she has performed at Poetry Live at the Thirsty Dog many times.

Interdisciplinary artist Sylvia Sinel emigrated to New Zealand from Sweden 2013 and settled in Hamilton where she has been very much involved in the local art scene, both as an artist and as a tutor in various organisations. Sylvia and her family have recently relocated to the North Shore, where she's currently establishing a new studio.
Sylvia's Art practice spans over 35 years and her work is found in many private collections worldwide. She has worked with a variety of mediums and techniques over the years – drawing, painting, sculpture, writing, performance and anything i between. Nowadays she focuses mainly on sculptural form and incorporates drawing and painting as part of the process.
Sylvia has a big passion for teaching and loves passing on knowledge and inspiration to students from all walks of life, young and old. She loves to see people learn and grow on their own terms and feel privileged to be part of the magic when it happens.
You can find out more about her and her work on www.sylviasinel.com

Silkscreen Print Artist, Talia Russell’s creates large-scale compositions which capture the essence of the natural world through an interplay of colour, texture & form.

Russell combines both digital & traditional techniques to produce her iconic images

Valerie is an experienced and passionate printmaker. She is a trained secondary school teacher and well versed in almost all of the printmaking applications.