Our People

OUR PEOPLE

Featuring some of our valued tutors
Click on a name to take you to the relevant page or go to COURSES to view the full list of classes

Maria Alvarez

I’m from Mendoza, Argentina and I arrived in New Zealand 15 years ago. I have been in Whangarei since 2008. I live with my husband (he is from Argentina too) and our son. We speak Spanish at home so our son can keep the language, he is bilingual.
I love New Zealand and I always say that I have two homes!
I enjoy teaching Spanish, I’ve been doing this for the last 5 years. I love sharing my experience about learning another language, I know it’s not easy, mainly when you are an adult, but it is possible! I love other people to learn Spanish, that’s why I teach. I have a fabulous and positive personality that engages others.

Shelley Chappory

I have enjoyed working in the digital design industry for over 25 years, including magazines, web design, branding, and my own design studio.
I have also been lucky to introduce design and art to adults for over 20 years. Helping people discover their inner artist or showing them how to create digital designs is hugely rewarding! When not teaching or designing I like to make art (I painted the Chorus Box mural in Onerahi), explore history with genealogy, and potter in my organic garden. You can find out more about me at www.joyfulpeardesign.co.nz/

Gayle Forster

Gayle's artistic and educational background have existed side by side since she graduated from Ilam University, did her postgraduate in England and Japan and gained her teaching qualification to take this knowledge into teaching and regularly exhibiting. Her teaching posts included Hagley Community College and Canterbury University and Gayle has run many weekend workshops throughout New Zealand. Gayle has had over 24 solo exhibitions with many group and selected exhibitions. Most importantly Gayle has a love of teaching and delights when she sees students take on new knowledge that enables further development of their work. This is her website www.gayleforster-art-studiospacetuition.nz

Jo Martin

It is my passion to help people gain confidence and learn how to use a computer! My favourite student is the one who knows very little to start and leaves my classes with more confidence and computer skills. I started computer teaching in 2002 and my passion has just grown with time.
I moved myself and my business to Whangarei in 2014 and love living here. Being a life-long learner myself, I enjoy sharing what I know with others! If you need to learn how to use a computer or up-skill, I hope that you will join me in one of my classes and I look forward to meeting you.

Geoff Bartlett

I was born in Sydney but Whangarei has been my home for over three years now. I was a journalist and travel writer for 10 years and am now an author and editor. I have been teaching workshops in various streams of writing for over 20 years and really enjoy showing people how simple a skill it is to take up.

Marie-Laure Darricarrere

When I was healed during a Qigong retreat, and my overall health has been improved dramatically, I immediately knew that I had to learn and teach Qigong in order to share this wisdom and help people to have a better and healthier life. I first started teaching Qigong in France, my country of origin. I have become Qigong Master and Yuan Ming medicine practitioner, I have been teaching Qigong for over 9 years. In 2014, I have furthered my studies into fitness and Pilates to improve my strength and posture and have also become a fitness and Pilates instructor. I am still studying with Polestar Pilates in Auckland. I arrived in New Zealand in 2018 from France. I am teaching Pilates and Qigong around Whangarei and online, and I am offering healing sessions. With greater awareness and growing consciousness, we can achieve so much! You can find out more about me at https://realizsation.weeblysite.com

David Herbert

As a local commercial beekeeper and a member of the Whangarei Bee Club I have been involved with bees since the earth was flat and have a vast amount of experience and knowledge to share. I periodically offer a practical ‘hands-on’ bee-keeping session with CEW to give people the opportunity to handle a hive (protective gear is available). The aim of the class is to get people ‘up close and personal’ with an actual beehive to see if they have the aptitude to work with bees.

Elena Nikolaeva

I was born and grew up in a big city in the middle of Russia. I studied visual arts for five years at the Urals State University and upon completion of my studies received an appointment to teach painting at the same university – a position which I held for many years. In my artistic career I have participated in a number of exhibitions, both in Russia and abroad and my paintings are in private collections in New Zealand and overseas.
I became a full time artist when I moved to New Zealand in 2001. Now living in Mangawhai, I am actively involved in the Northland arts community. I run regular visual arts classes and workshops for adults in both Northland and Auckland. To learn more about my art and teaching you are welcome to visit my website http://art-of-elena-nikolaeva.info/

Ken Brain

Ken runs our popular upholstery workshops. Ken ran his own upholstery business in Auckland for 37 years and has spent 30 years running upholstery workshops in both Auckland and Whangarei, sharing his knowledge and skills. Ken’s workshops are an enjoyable and fun experience with students often returning to complete yet another project. Barb said, "The course lived up to all my expectations and I came away happy with what I had achieved. Ken has a wealth of knowledge and is an excellent tutor."

Ben Fernmoor

Before leaving high school in the UK, I had to decide between nursing and catering as a career choice. I chose nursing and this has been my vocation for most of my working life so far. But it is not my passion. Food and cooking are the things that get me excited. After a long career as a training instructor with an airline, I finally became a professional cook. It was a role I immediately felt comfortable in and although I'd been the main cook at home for years, being paid to cook for a living was a real thrill.
I love cooking! I love the science that transforms raw ingredients into a meal. But cooking is also an art form. The sight, sounds, tastes and smells of food being cooked and served inspires and stimulates.
Cooking is like music - a limitless abundance of combinations and arrangements.

Sally McGunnigle

As a former professional photographer I have been involved with photography for well over 20 years. My portfolio includes weddings, family portraits, glamour and events. I enjoy sharing my passion with others and encourage people to learn how to use their camera to its full potential.

HOW TO FIND US

The CEW office is situated at Kamo High School by the main carpark on the corner of Kamo Road and Wilkinson Ave.

There are often samples of art and craft work on display together with a number of photos to give you ideas for your project. Please feel free to call in and visit.

OUR PEOPLE

David Herbert

Sally McGunnigle

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