While Schoon was mostly unimpressed with the local art scene in New Zealand he did briefly attend the Canterbury University College Ilam School of Fine Arts before moving to Wellington in 1941. While in Wellington he came in contact with artists whose work he approved of and influenced including Rita Angus – for whom he was one of the main sources of her interest in Buddhist art and culture;Dunn, Michael. 'The Art of Theo Schoon'. Art New Zealand No. 25, Spring 1982 URL: http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issues21to30/theo.htm
