Waikato Creatives Cultivating Community Through the Arts

Creativity thrives in our community halls, cafes, schools, on city streets and in local parks. It is never confined (or defined) by conventional spaces, allowing individuals and groups to flourish, explore new ideas, and grow together.

Waikato creatives Ray Diprose, Bernadette Ballantyne, and Robert Pendegrast are experienced practitioners not only pursuing their personal passions but empowering others through their work. They represent a diverse yet interconnected movement building opportunities for participation, encouraging expression, and supporting confidence in people of all ages and stages.

A former teacher and lifelong lover of live performance, Ray Diprose has channelled his passion for storytelling and production into community events across Raglan. Whether supporting the coordination of the Raglan Film Festival, working events like the Country and Blues Festival, or installing public screens to showcase local happenings, Ray’s focus has consistently been on inclusion, access, and joy.

“What creative experiences bring is both performance opportunities for artists and connection for audiences. When you’re watching your grandchild on stage or listening to a favourite local band, that joy is real. It uplifts people.”

Ray’s philosophy is anchored in community spirit. He speaks fondly of the volunteers and supporters who make these events possible. “The community wants it. There’s a generosity in Raglan, people give time because they believe in what creativity brings.”

Importantly, Ray also champions youth development. Events like ‘Live and Local’ and regular open mic nights give emerging performers valuable experience in safe, appreciative environments. “It’s about growing their confidence,” he says. “They may not be famous yet, but every opportunity is a step forward on their journey.”

Former primary school teacher Bernadette Ballantyne has transitioned from the classroom to full-time art practice, with a focus on soft pastel realism. Much of her ongoing success has come through commissioned pet portraits and the deep emotive response these works produce. But beyond this core practice is a motivation for fostering connection between artist and viewer, and among community members themselves.

Along with running popular painting classes for all age groups, Bernadette is also active in community projects such as ‘Art on Thames Street’ which transforms eateries and shopfront spaces into a live gallery of local talent. “It’s about creating a sense of belonging,” she explains. “A lot of artists work alone, so just being seen and acknowledged by the community is powerful. And for the public, watching art being made in real time, there’s something special in that.”

Her experience in education continues to inform her approach. “Adults are often afraid to make mistakes. But once they create something they’re proud of, you can literally see the self-belief grow.”

Bernadette also sees creativity as essential to mental wellbeing. “It’s cathartic. When I draw, I’m fully absorbed. It gives my brain a rest.”

Whether inspiring her son Max to paint freely at home or encouraging hesitant adults in her classes, Bernadette is gently breaking down barriers that prevent people from engaging creatively. “Creativity is problem-solving and self-expression rolled into one. Everyone has it. They just need the right space to explore it.”

As a sound recordist for film and television, Robert Pendegrast is the quiet force behind countless creative projects. With a background in live church sound mixing and a formal education in screen and media, Robert has become a sought-after collaborator on Waikato film sets, where his technical expertise is matched by his calm, reflective approach.

His pride lies not only in skillful sound capture, but in problem-solving and clear communication. “Every shoot has its challenges,” he says. “I focus on learning from each one and making it better next time.”

Robert’s passion, however, goes beyond professional pride. He works in film because he’s inspired by helping others realise their visions. “I love supporting people to tell their stories. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

He’s also been a valuable mentor through youth filmmaking workshops, where young people explore acting, directing, costuming, and of course, sound. “For kids, it opens up a whole world behind the scenes. They begin to see all the careers involved in what they usually only see on a screen.”

Equally as important, Robert highlights the role creativity plays in mental health. “For me, working on a film isn’t stressful, it’s actually how I relax. It gives me purpose and enjoyment. When the environment is collaborative, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The ongoing work of Ray, Bernadette, and Robert illustrates how creative practice, when rooted in community, becomes something far greater than individual expression. It becomes a tool for connection, a path to personal growth, and a reflection of a community’s spirit.

Each of these artists offers something unique, but what they share is a belief in the power of creativity to uplift and inspire. Their efforts remind us that meaningful engagement starts at the local level with one class, one stage, one sound check, or one conversation. 

This article is part of a series of stories connected with our Creativity Lives in Waikato project. We know that Waikato thrives with diverse and transformative creative activity, so we are helping to highlight some of the creativity that lives in our region. Check out this growing collection of stories featuring the local Waikato creative community.