Our Team
Art for Life has been providing specialist art tuition to members of the community living with special needs since 2013.
Specialising in painting and drawing in a range of media, the trust aims to teach art as a way of self expression for the students, alongside assisting in their treatment, rehabilitation, development of skills and general wellbeing.
Our annual exhibition gives our artists an opportunity to publically display their work alongside the ability to generate their own income through the public sale of their pieces.
Our Tutor
Anh Que Chu
Of Chinese descent and originally from Vietnam, Anh is one of Vietnam's "boat people" who sought refuge in 1979. Anh studied at Hanoi's Arts school with a strong prevailing 20th-century French influence.
Moving to Christchurch in 1982, she later graduated from CPIT in 2000, with a Bachelor of Art & Design.
Anh taught for the Your Studio Trust and privately for children and adults until 2013. Anh then founded Art for Life to teach art to to members of the community living with special needs and the Charitable Trust was later established to manage the studio
Our Volunteer Tutors
Monica Wang
Monica is an Architect with six years experience. She has recently returned to university to study Fine Art as a postgraduate student.
Julia Tsai
Julia is our newest volunteer.
A former student of UC, Julia studied Fine Art
Jade Jolly
Jade comes to Art for Life with experience as a painter in the film industry.
John Ruane
John is a familiar sight around the trust, not only does John volunteer to help deliver classes, he is also a member of our Board of Trustees, helping to oversee the running of the trust.
Sue Rowe
Sue is the manager of the Riccarton Sunday Market. She brings to her volunteering a unique ability to understand and communicate well with people from all walks of life.
Our Trustees
Louise Bendall
Chairperson
Louise is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive experience in business processes and procedures having worked in manufacturing companies here in Christchurch and in London for local government organisations in financial and analytical roles.
Louise became involved in the Trust in October 2016.
Ricki Taylor
Treasurer
Ricki is a Chartered Accountant with many years experience within the civil contracting and construction industry. Ricki brings skills in taxation, investigation, compliance and financial reporting to the Board.
Ricki became involved in the Trust in July 2020.
John Ruane
Secretary
John is a retired Chartered Accountant with 40 years experience and provides support to the trust in developing the annual budgets and forecasts, taking minutes for all Board meetings and overseeing the administrative aspects of the Trust.
John became involved in the Trust in May 2014
Richard McMeeking
Service Delivery Assistant
Richard is a retired Engineer; he has a strong interest in the arts and enjoys working with students to develop their artistic expression.
Richard became involved in the Trust in May 2014
Madi Keay
Fundraiser
Madi has a background in economics, with a number of years working as a support worker in the disability sector. Madi enjoys combining the hands on experience with her academic background to support community organisations in maximising their social impact.
Madi became involved in the Trust in June 2020
Hannah Wilson
Engagement
Hannah is an artist, art educator, and arts administrator who is passionate about access to the arts for all and how art can bring meaning to life. Hannah has worked across a number of not for profit organisations as a visual arts public programmer and engagement manager over the past 10 years.
Hannah became involved in the Trust in June 2020.
Sam Mitchell
Business Development
Sam has a background in sales, with 20+ years spent specialising in Business Development and Operational efficiency. Sam enjoys the relationship building aspect of his roles, as well as mentoring others to fine tune their own sales skills.
Sam becamee invovled in the Trust in June 2020.