A unique arts initiative for marginalized West Auckland youth is about to exhibit the work of the class of 2019.
The Kākano Youth Arts Collective's founder and Creative Director, Mandy Patmore, recently won a Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year Award for her work helping young people through the arts.
Some go on to study at tertiary level, despite leaving mainstream education as young as 12.
Lynn Freeman spoke to one of the Kākano students Troi, who recently held his first solo show, and to Mandy to find out how the collective started.
The end of year exhibition Te Whakatipu Akoranga opens at the Corban Estate Arts Centre, West Auckland, on Wednesday.
