Amaze is an exciting new project in Auckland that aims to provide a space where young people can share their gifts and explore their faith in God.
What if there were a 7-day a week, easily accessible, safe-space for young people to explore their faith in God...?...what if that space were staffed by youth workers and young adult volunteers and artists and sculptors and weavers and musicians and poets and songwriters and fun and noise and quiet and sofas and conversations and gallery space and coffee and colour...?
These were the questions that set things moving for amaze, a new centre for Youth, Arts & Spirituality in Auckland City.
'And all who heard him were amazed'and when his parents saw him they were astonished.' Luke 2:47-48. Director, Jacky Sewell says, 'This has become a special text for amaze. As the actions of Christ as a teenager amazed both temple onlookers and his parents, so today, the ability of young people to see and speak about their faith in God in awesome ways, continues to amaze those with ears to hear and eyes to see.'
amaze is primarily aimed at young people who have little or no connection with the church - although young people belonging to churches are getting just as excited about it and involved with it! Workshops, seminars, artists-in-residence, exhibitions, and holiday programs are all the agenda for the amaze centre.
Aimed at small groups of 12-17 year olds, this course uses visual, creative and performing arts to explore identity and life skills. The course is available as a holiday program; as an ongoing weekly group; and for schools to run for small groups of students.
amaze offers seminars on a wide variety of topics including youth work skills; adolescent development; crisis intervention; creative spirituality; history of religious art. The amaze Winter Lecture Series 2003: ÔVisions of the DivineÕ, featured images from over 2000 years that were gorgeous, exciting, vibrant, unexpected and sometimes shocking.
Look out Parachute! At the festival in 2004, amaze will be running a seriously excellent four-day DIY Artzone. Installation art, mosaics, stone carving, paintingÉ Make a point of visiting the amaze Artzone in the village at some point during the weekend.
Get in touch with Jacky about Film Making Workshops for 13-16 year olds happening this summer holidays!
Amaze Director, Jacky Sewell
amaze Youth Space C/- PO Box 37-242 Parnell Auckland Phone: (09) 838 1489 Email: jacky@amaze.org.nz Web: www.amaze.org.nz