The first of three annual Creative Arts Forums was held at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre last Wednesday night.
Whanganui District Council arts portfolio holder councillor Helen Craig says the forums are intended to "provide opportunities for multi way exchanges of information between our various creative community members including council".
The forums, she says, will be facilitated by council to bring artists together to make the most of Whanganui's resources and opportunities.
"The idea is based on council's positive ageing model which brings interested people together regularly to generate and share ideas," Mrs Craig says.
"Whanganui has such a diversity of creative artists and there are a number people doing heritage and restoration work with buildings and vehicles.