The Blue Stories Project creates a culture of supporting women and their families. It educates communities and normalises the topic of perinatal depression.
ABOUT
The Blue Stories Project: sharing journeys out of perinatal depression supports activities that encourage rerekē mō te pai (change for the better) and te kotahitanga i roto i te kanorautanga (unity in diversity). This is a project that creates a culture of supporting ALL women and their families. It educates communities and normalises the topic of PND.
In 2021, the Blue Stories Project was initiated in Whakatū Nelson by Karolina Gorton as an exhibition of portraits alongside inspiring and encouraging stories. In 2022 and 2023, the Project has had a nationwide reach with exhibitions coming to Tāmaki-makau-rau Auckland, Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty, Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington, Te Tauihu-o-te-waka Marlborough, Waitaha Canterbury and Ōtākou Otago.
The Blue Stories Project has been created in conjunction with Perinatal Support Nelson and Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa (PADA) and with support from the National Lottery Community Grants scheme. These eight organisations are involved in the project: Well Women Franklin, Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury, Maternal Mental Wellbeing Marlborough, Central Lakes Family Services, True Colours - Honouring the Mother, Greenstone Doors, The Ruth Project and Little Shadow.
Ngā mihi nui to these organisations and to all of our supporters, collaborators and story-sharers.
OUR TEAM
KAROLINA GORTON
Project Manager, Illustrator and Designer
Photo credit: Kate Russell
Kia ora,
I am Karolina Gorton. I have a big passion to be one of the ‘supporting women’ culture makers. I know that it’s only possible if you create it with other people and engage with your whole community. As an Illustrator and designer I love to capture the essence of subjects in strong lines and bold colours, www.lolkastudio.com. I have an MA of European Culture and Social Studies, with majors in Visual Culture and Communication between Cultures.
MY VALUES: PASSION - live to create; EQALITY - respect everyone; INTEGRITY – communicate openly and honestly; EMPATHY – be kind; HUMOUR – laughter makes the world a better place.
Over six years ago I went through perinatal depression during the pregnancy of my second child. I went through therapy, and I recovered. Actually, I found unknown strengths in my PND experience. It gave me an idea to create the Blue Stories Project: sharing journeys out of perinatal depression. I approached Perinatal Support Nelson with the idea of the Blue Stories Project in 2020. They decided to collaborate and bring this project to Nelson and Tasman Communities. They had two exhibitions in two main local libraries. Now I am ready to lead the nation-wide stage of the project across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui,
Karolina
LISA ALLAN
Media and Marketing Connector
Photo credit: Ishna Jacobs
Kia ora,
I am Lisa Allan. I have the honour of helping to prepare the stories for and spread the word about the Blue Stories Project. I have a deep love for creativity, wellness and community, along with huge admiration for the work of Karolina Gorton. This project is a truly special opportunity to share inspiring and encouraging stories of perinatal depression towards making the world a more supportive and understanding place. I am the Artistic Director of the creative and healing arts company, Wintergreen Creative, www.wintergreencreative.co.nz. I work in the theatre industry, most often as a director, writer and teacher and am also a yoga and reiki teacher with a BSc in Biology and a Graduate Diploma in Human Services. I am currently working my way towards an MFA in Directing at Otago University. My husband, Dan Allan, and I founded and directed the Nelson Fringe Festival in 2015, alongside an incredibly devoted team of community-minded individuals that included, and could not have happened without, Karolina Gorton. It is a beautiful expression of symmetry that I now get to support Karolina as she heads this important project, The Blue Stories Project- sharing journeys out of perinatal depression.
Ngā mihi nui,
Lisa
Janja Heathfield
Sound Technician and Audio Interview Editor
Photo credit: Mark Heathfield
Kia ora,
I am Janja Heathfield. I am a passionate supporter of the arts and have a strong focus on community and social justice. I work for Arts Council Nelson managing the Refinery ArtSpace and its creative programme. As an audio producer and sound designer, my work has included technical production and project management for local concerts, multimedia productions, arts festivals and award winning local film projects. I have my own creative practice and regularly collaborate with artists in a wide variety of genres. I hold a Bachelor of Audio Production (SIT, Invercargill and SAE, Queensland 2006) and a Certificate in Audio Engineering (SAE, Melbourne 2002).
I had my own journey with perinatal depression after the birth of my second child and Perinatal Support Nelson helped me to recover. I was very excited when Karolina asked me to work with her for the first stage of the Blue Stories Project. I recorded and edited our first four audio interviews which you can listen here.
Ngā mihi nui,
Janja