This year the Jann Medlicott Creative Arts Awards attracted submissions from a wide range of creatives including dancers, singers and visual artists.
It was local Toi Ohomai Creative Industries student Isaac Crowe who took out the award which was presented on Thursday 27 September at the Acorn Foundation Award and Scholarship Presentation.
Isaac is currently completing his third and final year of the Bachelors of Creative Industries majoring in Graphic Design, at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
Before his journey into study, he worked part-time as a Teacher’s Aide at Morrinsville College working with a group of at-risk boys from different year levels. During this time he rediscovered his love for art while working with a student on an art class project.
“Over the past 4 years at Toi Ohomai, I have grown not only a creative but as a person. I am confident in my abilities and I am always willing to help all students that ask, whether it be for an assignment or specific help with graphic design software.” Isaac said.
“The Bachelor of Creative Industries program not only refined my graphic design skills and knowledge, but I also learnt visual art processes and practice. Through the development of my creative practice, I entered the 2018 Miles Art Awards for the first time, where I was awarded the Incubator Emerging Artist Award for my work ‘Angela of Makawe’.”
After graduating from Toi Ohomai Isaac plans to continue study and enrol into the honours program at Wintec in Hamilton for 2019. ” I feel is a natural progression in my development for my creative career as well as an exciting new challenge to rise to. I also see this as an opportunity to network, connect and learn from other creatives thus helping my practice grow” said Isaac.
Isaac found out about the Jann Medlicott Award by seeing a post on the Creative BOP Instagram page and after talking to his tutors, they encouraged him to apply.
“Winning the award will alleviate some of the financial pressures which come about from moving to Hamilton.” Said Isaac. “It’s a kick start towards the saving I need to do over the summer”.
After Isaac finishes his study he would like to return to the Bay Of Plenty and start a creative collaborative workspace with two other graduates in Te Puke. The goal for the space is to allow creatives to set up studio work spaces and create a community hub for creatives in the Te Puke area.
With his teacher aide experience, he also envisages running an after-school creative program for the children in Te Puke, as well as a work experience program for high school students to push them to follow the path into the creative industries. I believe this vision would benefit the community as it will demonstrate that creativity is a possible career path for the youth of Te Puke and add to the growing creative sector within the Bay of Plenty Region.” said Issac
