Our Team


Ana

Ana takes the lead on our arts programme, with a reputation for coming up with exciting and innovative ideas.

She loves creating space for artists so they can experiment and have fun without the pressure of making their art look good. Ana combines working as an artworker with freelance graphic design.  

Catherine

Catherine wears many hats; she is our studio caretaker, a mental health advocate and an artist and peer artworker within our creative whānau.

She knows the benefits of a tidy studio space and ensures our spaces are always welcoming so our artists can focus on getting creative. Catherine’s own art practice is multi-disciplinary with a strong focus currently on printmaking. 

Henni

Henni finds great joy being part of this vibrant arts community and combines leadership of our programmes and people, with facilitating groups as an artworker.

Henni brokers opportunities for our artists to engage within the Christchurch art scene. Outside of work, Henni loves getting into the outdoors and making pottery.

Joe

Joe brings extensive experience as a practicing artist and printmaker to his role as an artworker.

Taking the lead on partnership programmes Unleashed and Te Korimako, Joe comes up with innovative projects that stretch the artists and result in a sense of pride as well as offering a safe environment for people to socialise, collaborate and essentially explore creativity together.

Kim

As founder and director of ŌCS, Kim sees the artists as the backbone of the community, and her role to create space for artists’ leadership and opportunities for their creativity to flourish.

A strong advocate in the arts and health scene for why creativity matters, Kim loves disrupting conventional thinking about mental health. Outside of work she can be found on islands, in op shops, in her wild garden and talking art.

Tom

Tom works closely with the artists, supporting their creative engagement and well-being.  Alongside this, Tom oversees our youth partnerships.

His own background spans both fine arts and social work, having now worked in the social work field for five years. Tom loves how creativity pushes us to make brave choices and advocates how a strong sense of creativity can help us become more confident in other areas of our lives.

Paola

Paola is a whizz at anything with numbers and works as our Administrator and Finance Manager.

She relishes tasks others may avoid and finds great satisfaction when paperwork is organised. Paola grew up in Italy, where her fascination for creativity came to play. Outside of work, Paola loves being in nature, walking her dog and reading.

Rebecca

Rebecca is a valued voice in our team of artworkers, bringing experience as a participating artist and group facilitator.

As well as this, Rebecca leads the digital coaching. Rebecca’s own art practice is wide ranging from ink to digital art. Her art springs forth with humour and intrigue.

Jess

Jess is our Taupuhipuhi Toi, supporting our artists to explore the knowledge of their tupuna.  

 Ko wai au?  Kia hononga mātou ko tōku whānau ki Te Tairawhiti, ki a Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, me Taranaki.  Ko Jess Rauora Collins tōku ingoa.  

 Jess is an advocate, activist and artist, working to uplift the future generations and address inequality.  Jess sees Ngā Toi Māori as a form of healing – through traditional art forms, which have survived the impact of colonisation, and contemporary art forms, we are connected to tupuna. ‘Let’s not let colonisation continue to suppress our voices!’ 

 Be your ancestors’ wildest dreams.  

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.

Vicci

Vicci loves being part of a making community. Her background in arts therapy has grown her playful approach to creative processes.

Vicci loves to try new media, enjoys making a mess (and cleaning it up) and gets really excited by the works created in the groups she supports as an artworker.

Gabrielle

Artworker Gabrielle is a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked with printmaking, photography and textiles.

For the past few years, she has spent time in creative spaces similar to Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, where her love for working alongside artists has grown. Gabrielle is passionate about witnessing artists’ practices flourish and grow. She is studying to become a creative arts therapist and believes creativity can support people in many ways. She has loved getting to know the community at Ōtautahi Creative Spaces and can’t wait to continue to see more magic happen! 

Sudi

Sudi is an artist and rug designer who leads our programmes for the Muslim community. 

An Iranian New Zealander, Sudi’s own art practice explores identity and recently her work has examined the relationship between the Pacific and Islamic worlds. Through her career as a rug designer at Dilana Rugs, Sudi has collaborated with many New Zealand artists. A trained Psychologist, Sudi has facilitated art workshops at an Iranian hospital for people with post-traumatic stress and depression. Sudi combines her love of craft and art and her experience as a psychologist to improve mental health and wellbeing.



Designed By Ana Craw Creative