Name: He Ipu Toi, He Ipu Oranga. A Vessel of Art, A Vessel of Wellbeing
Start: 2026-03-13T23:00:00+13:00
Location: 12 Pembroke Street, Hamilton, New Zealand 3204

He Ipu Toi, He Ipu Oranga | A Vessel of Art, A Vessel of Wellbeing
This three-session wānanga offers a safe, creative space for wāhine in midlife to explore identity, transition, and wellbeing through arts-led processes and shared reflection.

14 March 2026 [Saturday] 9am - 11.30am
11 April 2026 [Saturday] 9am - 11.30am
09 May 2026 [Saturday] 9am - 1130am

Whare Hau Tutū
12 Pembroke Street
Hamilton

All resources and materials provided

Held in the nurturing spirit of Whare Hau Tutū, this series invites participants to slow down, create, and listen inward while being gently supported within a held and respectful group space.

Designed for wāhine approximately aged 40–60 who feel curious about creativity, connection, and self-reflection, the workshop weaves together hands-on art-making, storytelling, and optional sharing.
Across the three sessions, participants will create personal vessels as a central creative thread — exploring what they hold, what they carry, and what they may wish to release or reclaim at this powerful life stage.
Through symbol, texture, colour, and form, each person is supported to express their inner landscape in ways words alone cannot.

Sessions include a balance of solo creative practice, small-group reflection, and whole-group witnessing.

This is a shared creative experience, and participants are always supported to engage at their own pace and comfort level.
By the end of the series, wāhine leave feeling more grounded, connected, and resourced — with deeper insight into identity and belonging, alongside creative tools they can continue to draw on for ongoing wellbeing.
The artworks created become personal taonga, carrying meaning, story, and intention beyond the wānanga space.
Facilitated by trained Creative Arts Therapy practitioners,
Abbie Mc Call and Serene Woolf, the space is guided by ethical practice, manaakitanga, confidentiality, and choice.
Abbie McCall (Ngāti Apa) is a creative and compassionate Mama of 3, currently completing her Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy.
Her work is grounded in aroha, wairua, and connection, and she offers gentle, one-on-one creative art therapy sessions that use art-making as a pathway to healing, self-discovery, and emotional wellbeing — honouring the whole person, including body, mind, wairua, and whānau.
Abbie’s approach supports people to explore their emotions, reflect on life experiences, and reconnect with themselves and others through creative processes in a safe, nurturing space.
Kia ora, my name is Serene Woolf. I am a Tsimshian, Haida, and European woman living and working on the Thames coast. I’m currently in my final year of a Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy, and my practice is guided by relational, embodied, and culturally grounded ways of knowing.
I am a mama, jeweller, artist, and facilitator whose work explores connection, identity, healing, and storytelling through creative process. I bring a holistic, intuitive approach to the spaces I hold, supporting reflection, expression, and meaningful connection.