Art & Wellbeing NZ: Spotlight on Sallie Dunford’s Creative Magic for Healing and Connection

There’s something deeply moving about people who use creativity not just as a personal outlet, but as a gift to uplift others and strengthen community.

Sallie Dunford, Hawke's Bay, Artist and teacher

Sallie Dunford, artist, teacher, and healer, is one of those people.

Known as a HeArtivist, Sallie blends art and heart in a way that inspires — contributing to wellbeing and community across NZ, based in Hawke’s Bay. Her work spans over two decades of creative contribution, offering guidance, healing, and collaboration through the arts.

Her journey has moved through many landscapes: studio work, community projects, education spaces, and mural art. As an intuitive artist and mentor, Sallie’s offerings have touched individuals, groups, and whole communities.

Her passion for creativity is evident in the way she invites others into the process — whether it’s through teaching, mentoring, or co-creating public art. She believes in the power of making art accessible and inclusive, and in the transformation that can happen when people are given space to express themselves.

"As a mother of many I also see and feel the freedom that a child finds within the creative process, a sense of belonging, a sense of common unity, a sense of completion and a sense of the arts as a Whole platform to explore." — Sallie

Sallie’s work is inspired by nature, especially the native flora and fauna of Aotearoa, and carries messages of regeneration, connection, and care for the land. Her series, “50 Shades of Green,” continued to evolve into “50 Plus Shades of Green,” integrating stories of community resilience after Cyclone Gabriel. It’s a beautiful example of how creativity can hold collective memory and healing.

Beyond the canvas, Sallie has also helped bring projects like Back to Basics and KIDS UNPLUGGED to life — initiatives that support youth with life skills, creative exploration, and reconnection with the whenua. Her involvement in the HeARTS Village at festivals across New Zealand has made space for families and communities to play, connect, and be part of something meaningful.

Her work reminds us that art doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful. It simply needs to be shared, and she does that with open arms.

Sallie welcomes those who feel the call to explore their creativity — whether you’re seeking a custom art piece or a guide to support your own journey into heartwork and expression.

If you’re drawn to soulful creativity, community connection, and art that holds deeper meaning, we invite you to explore more about Sallie and her offerings in our Creating Space Community Hub.

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