Mutu Cooray and his students, who represent the art community, ‘Mutu Community Art ’ held yet another presentation of their talents and creativity. According to Mutu, this exhibition was the largest yet to be organised by them, representing artwork by him and all 35 of his students. This was Mutu Community Art’s annual community art show, celebrated to showcase and appreciate the works of Mutu’s students whose ages range from 5 to 78 years.

The event was held on the 18th of July at New Lynn Community Centre in collaboration with Creative New Zealand and New Lynn Community Hub. Paulo Garcia, MP for New Lynn; Shadi Sotoodeh, the Community Programmes Specialist of New Lynn Community Centre; Padmini Raj, Senior Librarian of Blockhouse Bay Library; Rosetta Fuimaono, Community Broker of Whau Local Board; and Sean Lim, Community Broker of Puketapapa Local Board addressed the attendees as the honoured guests of the event. As a socially responsible organisation, Mutu Community Art extended this event in support of the Child Cancer Foundation as well.   

The graduation ceremony of Mutu’s students was also held on this occasion. A live art presentation by the student community and a free sketching workshop presented by Mutu were also part of the programme. Mutu’s quick but elegant art design during his welcome address was one of the memorable attractions of the show, adding a novel flavour to it.

Mutu Community Art, which started as an art class in Blockhouse Bay has now expanded to New Lynn, Glen Eden and Henderson, recruiting more students and guiding them to elevate their creativity in art.

As fellow Sri Lankans, we at Sri LankaNZ would like to extend our best wishes and support to Mutu Cooray and his students for the journey so far and the future.

Thulitha Abayawardana – Auckland