Inspired by nature and connected to the history of the park is how one might describe the first works of artist Nic Moon's residency at Wenderholm Regional Park. Nic, who began her month-long residency on 8 April, has spent her first weeks exploring the parkland, collecting material for her work and creating several site specific works.

Inspired by nature and connected to the history of the park is how one might describe the first works of artist Nic Moon's residency at Wenderholm Regional Park. Nic, who began her month-long residency on 8 April, has spent her first weeks exploring the parkland, collecting material for her work and creating several site specific works. She is particularly interested in creating temporary or ephemeral works - made of, then taken away, by nature. You can meet the artist on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May from 1.00pm - 2.00pm at Wenderholm.

Lacy leaf skeletons form the basis of her first installation, called 'A Royal Carpet', in the grounds of historic Couldrey House. "It is inspired by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Wenderholm in 1953, the lace curtains of Couldrey House and the lacy leaf skeletons that I think of as our indigenous lace," says Nic who collected some of the leaf matter on the Maungatauhoro Track.

Nic's second work is currently unravelling, literally. She is looking at creating large wool 'drawings' under the park's majestic old pohutukawa trees. "The pohutukawa trees here are old and beautiful. There is a painting in Couldrey House by Kennett Watkins (dated 1903) in which the pohutukawa look the same as they do today. "I have been walking amongst them since I arrived and have begun to wonder what they have seen over the years. I picture people having family picnics under the pohutukawa trees in the weekends and wonder how many people these trees have come to know," she says. Nic has asked for donations of old unwanted red woollen jerseys that she can add to an installation with windfall pohutukawa branches. "It would be wonderful if local people, who might have a connection with Wenderholm, could bring their old red jerseys to the park. They may also want to help to unravel the jersey, as they tell me their stories about picnics under the pohutukawa trees," she says.

Nic Moon's residency at Wenderholm Regional Park continues until Monday 5 May. During her time at Wenderholm she will be presenting an artistic interpretation of her response to living on the park. She is interested in talking to park visitors about what she is doing and is collecting stories and resources for her work. "If people see me out on the park, I hope they will introduce themselves and share their perspectives on this special place," she says. Each day a sandwich board will be placed near the park arrival area with an update on where Nic will be working and progress on her work. Unwanted red woollen jerseys can be dropped at the park office for Nic to collect or phone 09 426 1200 for further information.

The ARC Artist in Residence programme offers artists the opportunity to live and work in a regional park for up to a month and develop a body of work influenced by their natural surroundings.

Also creating artwork on a regional park is Waitakere painter Derek March. Derek begins his residency on 18 April and will be based at Atiu Creek Regional Park, the ARC's newest regional park on the Kaipara Harbour. Nic Moon and Derek March were chosen from over 50 applicants for the inaugural ARC project. Artwork generated as part of the Artist in Residence project will be shared with park visitors, raising the artists profile and giving the public an opportunity to experience the park through an artist's eyes.