WAI the Womens Art Initiative Palmerston North

When you donate to WAI you will be helping us to raise the money needed to purchase a second hand pottery wheel. As we currently have to travel 40 minutes from Palmerston North to Marton to work in a pottery studio this purchase would allow us to practice our throwing skills weekly, rather just once or twice a year. We all love clay and working with it, so this equipment will offer us something really special.

Any funds raised above this will go towards further clay working equipment, and clay, and may even be able to help support our ongoing running costs in 2016 - something which we always struggle to cover.

WHAT IS THE WOMEN'S ART INITIATIVE (WAI)?

WAI are a collective of women making art as a form of resistance and a response to the violence we have experienced. We have worked together since 2013, meeting weekly. 

WAI is about self-representing these experiences within a supportive community, challenging the myths and stereotypes that sit around both the violence and who we are as 'victims' or 'survivors' of this violence.

WAI are supported by the New Zealand Collective of Independent Women's Refuges - with advocacy and practical help but not with financial assistance, as all of their funding is directed into crisis intervention. 

WAI are an ongoing initiative - we have been running in Palmerston North since 2013, and are in the process of setting up new collectives in Wellington and Blenheim currently. We run with the advocacy and support of Women's Refuge, but unfortunately Refuge are unable to support us financially as all of their funds are directed into crisis intervention.