Village mailbox makeovers

Julie Jones and Sheryl Barlow have been splashing their artistic magic all over Arvida Te Puna Waiora, the retirement community they proudly call home.

These two craft ladies have painted eleven letterboxes, with six still waiting for their colourful makeover.

“We did craft work back in Whangarei before we shifted here. So we painted our own one and another resident saw it and basically it evolved from there,” Sheryl explains. Armed with acrylic, water-based paint and a nifty silicone spray to keep their masterpieces safe from wild weather, Julie and Sheryl have made the Kerikeri village’s letterboxes shine.

Though the designs are inspired by Austrian visual artist Hundertwasser, each box gets its own personality boost. Julie reveals, “One resident liked one of the English football teams and wanted a jersey added. Another resident is into marching and so we added some marching boots. So the letterboxes are bright and colourful and have their own little stamp on it.”