The winning 2026 Toi Ora T-shirt design sums up Toi Ora to a tee (pun intended). It features a water jar for paintbrushes with the word ‘Toi’, and a steaming hot drink with the word ‘Ora’.
These two symbols sum up our reason for being: Creativity, connection, community.
Designer Scarlett James explains its meaning: “I thought about what the two words meant. Toi means art/creativity, and ora means wellbeing, and for me, wellbeing is a cup of steaming hot tea.
“It’s also a bit of a joke, because lots of artists have a cup of tea by their water jar which they clean their brushes in, so you can end up drinking paint water by mistake.”
Scarlett found her way to Toi Ora a year and a half ago after being made redundant.
“Other times when I’ve been out of work, I have gotten really low, but this time, coming to Toi Ora, it’s been different.
“Since coming here, friends and family have commented on the changes they’ve seen in me. I’m happier, more motivated.”
Scarlett has since found part-time employment and is enjoying the balance between working and practising creativity. She even has plans to showcase and sell some art of her own.
Earlier this year she attended Toi Ora artist Kay Shibuya’s debut exhibition at Studio One Toi Tū and got inspired.
“Through Toi Ora, each year an artist can exhibit, and I want to do it. I want to create enough work to put on an exhibition. Everyone is really encouraging to help me complete that goal at Toi Ora, and it feels within reach.”
Around Scarlett’s design are plants, that represent growth, and we couldn’t be more chuffed to hear a little about Scarlett’s own growth journey.
A big congratulations also goes to second-place designer Felix. His tee, ‘Many Paths, One Studio’ was also printed, and both are available for sale in our Toi Ora shop.
