Melissa Macleod: Artist, Educator and Environmental Advocate
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Visual Arts teacher Melissa Macleod has been awarded the 2025 Grace Butler Foundation Award at Ara, a prestigious honour that includes a $20,000 grant and an artist residency to further her practice.
Beyond the classroom, Melissa is a well-regarded artist with a passion for exploring the unique landscapes and communities of Eastern Christchurch. As a resident of New Brighton, she focuses on the stories and environmental challenges faced by this coastal area, often using natural materials to bring her work to life.
Her upcoming residency project will see her diving even deeper into her local environment, responding to the dunes of New Brighton through sculpture, drawing, photography, and research. Natural materials will take centre stage–including (potentially thousands of) Hare’s Tail Grass seed heads, which have captured her imagination.
In addition to this, Melissa has also received a Pūharakekenui/Styx Trust Creative Communicators Residency, which means she’ll be working alongside environmental specialists this year. “When not at Rangit Ruru or Ara, you may find me in the willows with my waders on,” she says, fully embracing the hands-on research that helps inform her work.
Despite her busy creative career, Melissa remains deeply passionate about teaching. “What I love most about teaching at Rangi Ruru is working with students who are genuinely interested in their learning–who are exploratory, willing to make mistakes, and outward thinking,” she shares. One of her most rewarding moments as a teacher? Witnessing the success of a Year 13 Photography student, a few years ago, who overcame significant personal challenges. “I saw the impact of art on her life, and what she was then equipped to peruse on graduating”. This is one of many student success stories Melissa has seen during her time at here.
Rangi Ruru’s Head of Visual Arts, Kate Rivers, praised Melissa’s achievements, noting the inspiration she provides to students. “As a highly respected artist, it is inspiring for ākonga to know their kaiako is a practising artist and to see their teacher’s artworks in major exhibitions and public collections. We are absolutely delighted for her and know she will spend her time this year producing a thoughtful and considered body of work.”
Melissa’s dual roles as an educator and artist continue to shape both her students and the wider arts community. The school wishes to congratulate Melissa on her achievements.