Tēnā koutou katoa e te rōpu

Ko Holywell Hill te maunga

Ko Ver te awa

Ko St Albans tōku turangawaewae

Inaianei, ko te Heru o Kahukura te maunga

Ko te tai o Marokura te moana

Ko Ōtautahi te kāinga

I te wāhi e noho ana mātou

Ko Gray tōku whānau ingoa

Ko Simon Gray ahau

Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

Simon co-leads The White Room and with Blaire. He has worked in the art and cultural sector for over 40 years, as a practising artist and also as a facilitator to support and develop art projects. 

Simon joined The White Room in 2020 and initiated the development of the outreach programme and the extension of opening hours, both of which were made possible through Arts Access Aotearoa and funding from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage - Manatū Taonga. Within that time The White Room has moved to its current (and beautiful) site at the Climate Action Campus.

Simon is committed to ensuring art and creative activities are available to all who want to participate in them. He knows that the arts promote healthy and inclusive communities and is fully focused on ensuring equitable access to the arts, for all. 

Simon’s own art practice is broad and multi-layered, from bee keeping and bread making to connect with diverse communities, through to painting and printmaking. Simon responds to the local environment and the interests of those around him. 

In short, as long as Simon is involved in making art and supporting others to make art too, he is happy.