The Words We Carry is a participatory art workshop created as part of

Adult Learners’ Week 2026.

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The project began with a simple invitation: to choose a word that holds personal meaning, take a moment to connect with it, explore why we carry it with us, and give it presence through art.

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For me, words can be bridges. They connect our inner world with the world around us. They can hold memories, emotions, experiences, people, places and intentions, sometimes expressing things that are difficult to put into words.

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Participants were invited to slow down and listen to their chosen word: to notice the thoughts, feelings, memories, images and associations that emerged. Through colour, shape and creative expression, each person then transformed their word into a visual piece, giving something intangible a physical presence.

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These were some of the words we carried and brought to life together:

FAMILIE · UNIVERSE · FE · BREATHE · PURPOSE · PEACE · BLUE · HAPPINESS · BLESSED · LOVE

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More than creating individual artworks, the process opened a space for reflection, expression and connection. 

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The workshop was held at Botany Library as part of Adult Learners’ Week 2026, supported by Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa, the UNESCO New Zealand National Commission, and the Tertiary Education Commission.