Art courses set in stone at centre

Fiona Towgood carves from a block of Oamaru stone at the Whangarei Quarry Arts Centre's annual Summer Do. Photo/John Stone

When Fiona Towgood was given a rectangular block of Oamaru stone in Whangarei yesterday she wasn't quite sure what to do with it.

Now a face is beginning to emerge from the block, but Ms Towgood isn't sure of the gender yet.

The artist is taking part in her first Whangarei Quarry Arts Centre's annual Summer Do.

"We don't know whether it's a male or a female until it comes out," she said after spending a few hours forming the face.

Ms Towgood, from Whakapara, is one of many artists participating in the Summer Do.

The courses are led by tutors who stand out in their field of practice, like Anna Korver who tutored the Oamaru stone workshop.

She is among eight artists tutoring the workshops that attract participants from around New Zealand and overseas.

The longest running mixed media art school in New Zealand, the Summer Do runs until Saturday and offers opportunities for artists of all levels.

This year 10 courses of up to seven days long are on the programme.

It also includes informal tutor talks which are open to the public, the Summer Do Tutors Exhibition in the Yvonne Rust Gallery and an assortment of relaxed evening activities.

For more information go to admin@quarryarts.org or ring 09 4381215.