Yvonne Rust
Born Northland 19/11/22
Died Greymouth 26/06/02

History

The Northland Craft Trust was formed in 1982. The Quarry (previously Waldron’s Quarry) was purchased with grants from the Whangarei District Council and the Dept of Internal Affairs. At an age when most people are thinking of retirement, Yvonne Rust, local artist, potter and teacher who had long nursed the vision of an arts centre where Northland artists could explore and develop the use of local materials in an appropriate environment, began her development programme for the bare, overgrown site.

Using community workschemes, the weeds were rolled back and studios were constructed, making good use of earthbuilding techniques. By 1986 the Labour Department schemes had finished and artists/craftspeople were invited to rent studios to further their skills and personal development in an artistic and nurturing environment.