Seven days ago we arrived strangers.
After being challenged, photographing only each other and a lot of critiquing … something happened.
We discovered new perspectives of each other and ourselves through different eyes and hearts.
Many photos were taken.
After putting into practice all we learnt, these photos were reduced to what you see before you.
In this process we became connected.
We are strangers no more.
– Alison, Allan, Charlotte, Jacqui, Janet, Leonie, Marica, Ros, Sandy, Tracey, and Fleur (our tutor)

A lot happened today that was very profound for me.

To begin with I showed some photographs in an exhibition. This was a first for me and a wonderful experience. This exhibition, entitled Strangers No More, was the final part of the week long portrait photography course I have been on. During this week I learnt all about creating photographs of people that engage the viewer on an emotional level. These “new ” portraits are all about the creation of  an emotional connection between the photographer and the subject so that the final portrait depicts the subject in an authentic way.

Every day we took hundreds of photos of each other. By the end of each day we were expected to have chosen the two best photographs. By the end of the week our portfolio of 10 photographs was whittled down to only two photographs that we would exhibit. To do this we became immersed in an intensive editing process which involved a lot of critiquing, discussion, feedback and self reflection. This was no simple task. Along the way I  learnt about what makes a good photograph and what doesn’t, and I also learnt a lot more about myself and what makes me tick. Another change that occurred was that all of us participating in this class became closer. We definitely began the week as strangers; this was not the case today as we proudly shared our work as a collective to the public.

The second great thing that happened today was that I won a prize – the Summer School 2010 Fleur Wickes Challenge. On the first day of our course our tutor Fleur asked us how we wanted to handle the week. All of us said we wanted to go hard. Fleur’s challenge was to see how far we could push ourselves and she said she would award the person who had come the furthest over the week a prize. This prize was three hours one-on-one with Fleur.

At the exhibition Fleur announced the prize winner – ME! I was so overwhelmed. I was awarded this prize for my “commitment, guts, and straight-up native talent”.

This was a really big day for me and I loved it. If I hadn’t been prepared to take a risk and put myself in a situation where I felt really out of my comfort zone I would never have had this experience. I’m so glad I listened to my intuition and gave it a go.

Manifesto
42. Every day celebrate. Who you are. What you have achieved. Things that matter to you.
44. Every day remember how far you have come.
45. Every day you are a different person.

Today we had an opportunity to get an insight into what other participants of the Wanganui Summer School of the Arts have been doing behind closed doors over this past week. We were able to walk around and see creations that had been completed and those that were still a work in progress.

Every day I would walk past classrooms where all sorts of interesting activities were going on. I would stop and peak through the glass windows to take a closer look at what was being produced. The hallways were often lined with creations that were hung out to dry. There were classes in painting, sculpture, felting, dressmaking, botanical drawing, jewellery making and cake decorating.

The handbags and gloves in today’s photo were created by the cake decorating class – aka the sugar art class. I wanted to pick up the black polka dot bag and take it home with me – it looked so cute.

I love this aspect of our learning experience – being able to share with others what we have produced.

Participants in my photography class were busy today getting ready for the exhibition we are holding tomorrow afternoon which will be open to the public. I am finding this whole process incredibly exciting although getting to the point of being able to select just two photographs to exhibit out of the hundreds I’ve taken this week is not so easy.

Day Six is almost over and I have to admit I am already feeling sad. Where has the week gone? This has been an incredible experience for me. I have never taken time out like this to be able to focus on only one thing that I am really passionate about and completely immerse myself in learning all I can about it. My concern as this week comes to an end is whether or not I will be able to sustain this creative flow when I return to my real world? Time will tell …

Manifesto
09. Every day learn something new.
13. Every day be better than you were the day before.
19. Every day make time for yourself.

The Oxford Dictionary describes smitten as being strongly attracted to someone or something. In my case I am smitten with the town of Wanganui. After years of visiting this town regularly – but never staying more than a weekend – I have gained a whole new perspective of my husband’s hometown.

I have been here for almost a week now and I have discovered many things about Wanganui that I never  appreciated before … it’s beauty (the main street is stunning with all its hanging baskets and beautiful old buildings) … there’s no such thing as a rush hour so that you can get from one end of town to the other in 5 minutes even at the “wrong” time of day … nothing appears to open before 9am apart from some cafes … everything seems to be closed by 5pm (the shops in the main street definitely are) … people have figured out what work/life balance is all about … it is amazingly well serviced with all sorts of cultural, educational and sporting facilities … they have a beautiful Opera House and it gets used (we went to the opera last night) … when you go to a restaurant for a meal on a week night you feel as though the place has been booked for only you because it is virtually empty (how they make a living I do not know) … you can walk on the road in the main street after 9pm because there are hardly any cars around … the people are friendly … there is so much to see and do … the new river walkway is fantastic … and most importantly they host Summer School of the Arts every January!

No doubt there are loads of things I have forgotten to list but I’m sure you get my drift -  I think this place is worth visiting and for more than a night. I know there are so many things I didn’t even see or experience.

I have loved being here in Wanganui this week. It is the perfect place to learn, to be challenged and be inspired.

I wonder if Lynsey will consider moving back here? I spotted a wonderful old brick building down by the river that took my fancy.

Isn’t it interesting how when you look with different eyes how the familiar can be so new and different?

Manifesto
26. Every day take action. Every small step counts.
22. Every day refine, clarify and simplify.
46. Every day you can change your thoughts.