The article below is taken from ANCAD’s Community Voices – Autumn Issue 2025.
An art class can bring joy, contentment, new friendships, community, creative challenges, and personal growth. For Heloisa Barczak, art has always been an important part of her life. Since she was young, she pursued her passion for art, studying interior design and technical drawing. However, like many others, she set aside her creative talent for several years while raising her family and working as a teacher in Brazil. In 2011, she relocated to New Zealand, following her son and daughter. During one of her early visits in 2008, Heloisa joined the Older Women’s Network where she met Joan Lardner. Heloisa asked about the possibility of starting a free art class, and Joan helped introduce Heloisa to the Takapuna Community Trust, leading to the first advertisement for a free art class in Takapuna, held in September 2013 at the Senior Citizens Hall.
Chris Howe was among the first to join the class. She was drawn to Heloisa’s philosophy of starting from the basics. Now, eleven years later, Chris has explored pencil drawing, pastels, acrylics, still life, and portraiture, including several portraits of her grandchildren. ‘It’s very satisfying to draw your own family,’ she says. ‘Having Heloisa there for guidance and suggestions is invaluable; it’s very hard for a self-learner without that support.’
Heloisa rediscovered her passion for art at the age of 50 during a period of depression; her art and creativity became a lifeline. She later studied at an art college in the United States for a year, focusing on the human figure and human head. Heloisa describes herself as a teacher who is always learning: ‘Teachers are students for life.’
The classes eventually moved to the Mary Thomas Centre, using the Channel View Lounge. Paul Willis joined the group in 2017. Originally from California, he has lived in New Zealand for the past 30 years and has a background in acting, theatre design, caricature, animation, and computer graphics. Over the past seven years, he has also explored pencil drawing, still life, portraiture, pastels, and both acrylic and oil painting. ‘This class has been amazing; it has pushed me beyond what I had chosen to do and has basically stretched me,’ he says. During the pandemic, Paul created several wildlife paintings, particularly focusing on native Aotearoa species like kea and tuatara. He has given some of his work to family and has sold a few pieces.
Since its inception, the group has grown in both number and range of experience. They have returned to the Senior Citizens Hall and now meet once a week for 2.5 hours. In support of the group’s future, the Auckland North Community and Development Inc (ANCAD) provided financial backing this year, allowing them to purchase art supplies. ‘We are very grateful,’ says Heloisa. ‘They have done so much for us.’
This year, the art group held its third art exhibition at the Takapuna Library. Chris described the experience as ‘a mix between daunting and satisfying.’ The class uses WhatsApp to stay connected and share inspirational art, and ideas, they also gather socially; this year they are planning a Christmas lunch and watching a DVD about Monet before breaking for the holidays. Heloisa describes the group as fraternal: ‘We are more than just a group of artists; we are friends.’ Paul values the opportunity for mutual support: ‘It’s really nice to work solo as an artist, but it’s also wonderful to work within a community. I hope this continues because I’ll keep coming.’
