Providing mental health support through creative engagement.

As cars speed down Vivian Street and noises of city bustle rise and float overhead, walking into the low hum of Pablos Art Studio provides an instant sense of serenity.  

Engrossed in painting, or needlework, or digital design, no one looks up as sounds from the world leak in, or as a gust of Wellington wind disturbs drying canvases, or as the door closes behind you. 

The sanctuary Pablos provides is purposeful. “We try and create a space where even in the chaos of life, things can make sense again,” says Manager, Anastasija Bubanja.

Pablos Art Studio Matariki lunch.

Creative support for marginalised communities 

First located out of Cuba Street, Pablo’s Art Studio’s story started in 1993 as a creative response to the demand for better community support for marginalised communities. Since the 1960s, the government had been taking steps to deinstitutionalise psychiatric care services, leaving many experiencing mental health issues without a place to go to get the support they needed.  

Knowing that art therapy provided key opportunities for individuals to regulate, observe and understand their emotions, affirm a sense of self and enrich their lives, Pablo’s provided a fully equipped art studio, where visitors could engage in one-on-one or group art tutoring. The success it had was instant, with the roster of regulars quickly filling up. The positive impact of the programmes was also immediately palpable.  

“When we say Pablo’s saves lives, it really does,” says Pablos Fundraising Coordinator, Katherine Narbey.  

30-years of impact 

Now 30 years into its journey, Pablo’s now welcomes people from a variety of backgrounds; all searching for a sense of identity through artistic expression.  

The results of this exploration hang on the walls of Pablo’s studio, are shared on their social media channels and exhibited to the public. This is important, says Katherine, to represent marginalised people in a way that is empowering. “Quite often, these kinds of communities are flattened and represented only in statistics,” she says. “To be able to showcase vulnerable people in a way that is three dimensional; that captures their strengths AND their struggles, is really powerful.” 

Viewing this artwork also offers people an opportunity for people to access really unique points of view, and life experiences that may be very different from their own. “It’s really rewarding for people,” says Katherine. “To be able to see and appreciate people for their resilience and ability to adapt allows them to get to know their community in a more meaningful way.” 

Forward-thinking community outreach 

Knowing the cognitive and emotional benefits that art therapy offers, Pablo’s piloted an outreach art-making programme at Mary Potter Hospice inpatient unit in Porirua, which delivered creative expression opportunities to patients receiving palliative care.  

Delivered in a group format to foster social connection, the tutorials range from screen-printed bunting to natural ink painting. The sessions have received incredibly positive feedback from both patients and hospice staff, with many noting that they left sessions with a boosted mood and sense of accomplishment.  

Nikau Foundation was delighted to support programme delivery expenses, providing a grant from the Porirua District Fund.