Artist couple help residents to find their creativity
Husband and wife artistic team, Sue and Spike Wademan are sharing their knowledge with a whole new set of art class students.
After moving into Arvida Queenstown Country Club retirement community a few years ago, they began art classes for a group of eight beginner and experienced residents.
Sue and Spike have a long history of teaching art at the Queenstown Arts Centre and were known for their local gallery. They have mentored more than 40 younger artists to reach their artistic potential over 20 years. The resident-led classes in the retirement village usually begin with weeks of pencil drawing before the residents feel confident enough to try painting with acrylic paints on canvas.
“We teach how to mix colours, and how to get perspective and proportion in their pictures,” explains Sue.
The village team regularly lay a large tarpaulin on the floor of the Clubhouse as things are likely to get messy with painting.
“We don’t encourage splashing paint around but accidents do happen.”
While Spike brings more than 50 years’ experience as a professional illustrator, Sue is a textile artist who creates more impressionistic images. Sue says both of them have a real passion for teaching.
“We really enjoy letting people find their creative side and it’s amazing what the students have done so far.”
The class recently held an exhibition in the village to display their finished paintings. More than 30 residents and friends came to see the exhibition with lots of positive feedback that encouraged all the students.
