Rekindle

Find your way into the light filled space of Rekindle on the first floor of the Arts Centre and from the wood shavings on the floor to the tools lining the wall, you’ll immediately sense that this is a place for craft, for making things. Open seven days a week, the space serves as a workshop for the Rekindle team, a rotating cast of craft practitioners and the public.

Rekindle is focused on creating opportunities for resourcefulness – making what we need from what we have around us. A small section houses items for sale that reflect this ethos, such as Rekindle’s greenwood stools and rakes, a curated selection of books, and hand-carved spoons. However, the space is first and foremost a hub for craft and skill sharing.

Classes that celebrate resourceful crafts are on offer at various times over the course of the week. The diverse workshops support local craft professionals in their practice and focus on using undervalued local materials as a response to wastefulness. From soap-making to harakeke and tī kōuka (cabbage tree leaf) weaving to spoon carving, doll making and hand-darning, there’s something for everyone. You can even try your hand at stool making, which is run in a unique woodland setting out at Lincoln University.

Breathing life into traditional skills that have slipped from our day-to-day lives brings with it a sense of purpose – one that is beneficial to both the wellbeing of people and our planet. Learning and sharing skills, and using what we have around us also helps to create a feeling of community.

Book yourself a spot for one of Rekindle’s workshops on its webpage, learn about resourcefulness and make something with your hands. We promise it’ll make you feel good. Keep an eye out for Rekindle’s Wild Food and Resourceful Ōtautahi walks too.