58 artists reinforce Whanganui as premier arts destination

58 artists reinforce Whanganui as premier arts destination

Fifty eight Whanganui artists and galleries are set to open their studios to the public during the last two weekends of March – growing the city’s reputation as the premier centre for the arts.

Now in it eleventh year, the Whanganui Artist Open Studios event has become a heavyweight fixture on the New Zealand art lovers calendar.

“We expect over 3000 locals and out of town visitors. They come to purchase quality art works at studio door prices and to have a peek behind the scenes,” says Open Studios spokesperson, Jo Ockey.

“From our big names like glass artists Katie Brown, Lyndsay Patterson and Claudia Borella, painter Prakash Patel, printmaker Sue Cooke and renowned potter Rick Rudd to our emerging artists and Ranamok winner Lisa Walsh, galleries, collectives…we’ve got an extraordinary line-up which reflects the serious arts vibe here.”

Sculpture, ceramics, glass art, fibre, textiles, printmaking, mosaic collage paintings, portraits, landscapes, watercolours, harakeke, photography, contemporary jewellery, iron work, contemporary furniture and fashion design are all part of the mix.

Ms Ockey says the programme also features a night time photographic workshop led by photographer Leigh Mitchell-Anyon, poetry readings, a book launch, jazz recital, subsidised workshops tutored by artists and ‘The World’s Smallest Library ‘ – a public phone booth converted into a literary oasis of artists’ favourite reads.

Whanganui has a strong educational arts platform with UCOL’s Quay School of Arts’ Fine Arts degree and the Wanganui Glass School’s internationally revered Diploma in Glass Design and Production.

It’s estimated over half the country’s practicing glass artists are graduates of the programme and that a “high number” have chosen to remain in the city.

“Whanganui has become famous for its rich diversity of artistic media and Open Studios allows the city to reveal the depth of what’s actually happening in the city and surrounding areas,” says Jo Ockey.

ends

© Scoop Media