Open Studios Project: Clay sculpting

PERFECT PICTURE: Artist Mary Whalley will host a crafts session where people can create artwork about what Rotorua means to them. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 080114SP6

Rotorua residents get the chance to get creative with clay this weekend.

Artist Mary Whalley will host a two-day clay sculpting session at The Arts Village as part of the Open Studios Project, a summer residency programme that encourages artists to come up with an activity that involves audience interaction.

Miss Whalley said she wanted people to try to make their own authentic souvenir at the event, something which they thought best represented Rotorua and their personal connection with the city.

Miss Whalley lived in Rotorua until she was 18, then studied fine arts at Auckland's Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, before moving to Wellington.

During her time in Rotorua she noticed locals often did not interact with visitors unless they worked in the tourism or hospitality industries and that was one of the things she wanted people to explore during this weekend's event.

"People passing through Rotorua and people who live here have such interesting and diverse stories to tell and this would be a great opportunity for them to do that," she said.

Miss Whalley believed many souvenirs available in Rotorua were quite generic and said it would be interesting to see what ideas, symbols and objects people came up with.

She has held a series of art projects and events throughout her career as an artist, most of which have been participant-based and involved public places.

"I'm really interested in exploring people's encounters with strangers and the personal ways we use public spaces," she said.

Miss Whalley, who also works as a teacher at a Wellington primary school, said her interest in people and their stories showed in her artwork.

"'I really like working with people and with art, so I'm trying to bring them closer together."

Her aspirations include travelling and creating art in cities around the world.

She hoped she would get the opportunity to be involved in a residency programme at a gallery in a different country, similar to the one she was involved with at The Arts Village.

She said she had enjoyed the programme so far and enjoyed talking to people interested in her art.

"It's been amazing to be able to talk to visitors but also to get to know the other artists involved in the wider [Open Studios] project," she said.

The Open Studios Project involves five artists. Miss Whalley's individual project is titled Local perception/Visitor impressions.

DETAILS:
WHAT: Open Studios Project.
WHERE: The Arts Village, corner of Hinemoa St and Hinemaru St.
WHEN:Clay sculpting session will be tomorrowand Sunday 11am to 3pm. The Open Studios Project is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11am to 3pm until January 23.
COST: Free.Open Studios Project