03/06/2026
Kia ora, creatives — as we slide into winter, Fareham Creative Space is prepping for our Annual General Meeting. Over the summer we freshened up our spaces, thought about how we best serve our local users, dreamed about some public art projects, and explored new ways to celebrate the creativity that lives here in the Wairarapa.
Community art spaces like ours do more than offer classes or events. They create a 'third space' away from work and home where people can gather. They’re an idea rooted in cultural theory that highlights how shared spaces help communities grow and thrive.
I've personally really enjoyed having a pottery studio so close to home - not only because it contains the mess (and my own personal terror of being responsible for operating a kiln while not burning my own house down). I've found having the pottery studio, and the regular Tuesday night open art studios particuarly good in the depths of winter. Life as a commuter can start to feel like it on a bit of an endless loop when the train leaves in the dark each morning, and pulls back in, in the dark each evening.
Having a dedicated space for wellbeing through art is one of the reasons I continue to choose to stay in Featherston. I think its really fitting here in our little community minded, creative town.
If this sounds like your kind of jam: we’re looking for more people to join us in shaping the future of Fareham Creative Space. We’re currently seeking a few roles on our Board, and we welcome interest from anyone keen to contribute their skills as a board member at a governance level.
I won't under-sell it - the challenge is steep - and getting steeper. Our creative space has been hard hit by reductions in avaliable funding, staffing reductions, and lower community turn-out this year. To combat these we're leaning into new thinking about funding, partnerships with other key providers in the community, and looking after our volunteers, who form the backbone of our Trust.
If you have expertise you’d like to share: we’d love to hear from you. And if youre interested in how the Space is doing, please pop along to our AGM - Tuesday 21 July at 6pm.
The remainder of 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant time, and we can’t wait to create it with you. If you’re curious, inspired, or simply want to be part of something local and meaningful, come and connect with us. Tuesday nights between 6:00-8:00pm are a great time to drop in and take a look - it's when we run our regular Open Art Studios, free time to pop along and use our art studio and supplies. If Pottery is your thing then the first Thursday of the month is Open Pottery Studio between 6:00-8:00pm.
Fareham Creative Space is here for you — and better with you in it.
