About Us - Lynn Dawson

Creative Background

Born and educated in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Lynn began her working life in the fashion industry in Auckland City.  During that time she attended Auckland University, studying Music, part-time and was a member of the then New Zealand Opera Company chorus.
She has written and developed workshops and programmes for specific  educational, creative writing and memoir interests. 

In 1992/93  Lynn became a gypsy, travelled to the USA, UK and Europe studying, working with major opera companies, arts festivals and freelance writing.  Magazines, annual reports, tourism brochures and business plans.  “Letters to My Friends” is a publication she wrote while living in Europe, developed from a series of letters written home during this time of travel.

After 13 years of working with women in prison, Lynn now continues to advocate and support women leaving prison and is working on a halfway house proposal that will give some real support to those women and their families.  She writes on commission, personal memoirs and family stories, limited edition publications on gardens and gardening stories, boating and classic craft, food and wine stories.  She travels throughout the country to deliver a programme of workshops via The Writers Club for groups wanting to develop their own writing and family stories.  Lynn has many stories to tell and enjoys encouraging workshop participants to write their own stories and memoirs.  She is skilled in the self publishing process.

Lynn lives in Devonport, Auckland with a bossy silver moggy, Clara.  She enjoys the village life of  Devonport and contributes to the community in a number of volunteer roles.

Teaching Philosophy

Our Vision

Mairangi Arts Centre is a strong, community based visual arts education centre supporting and encouraging local/regional and culturally diverse communities to experience and enjoy a diverse range of visual arts practices, exhibitions and education programmes.

Our Purpose

To provide a supportive, nurturing and encouraging environment at Mairangi Arts Centre that fosters community access to and participation in the visual arts by offering a strong and purposeful education and exhibition programme that meets the learning and presentation needs of the community.