Artists rapt with open studios event

Katherine Claypole poses at the Firestation Workrooms with her art works. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO

The conversations and the sales were fabulous in the first weekend of the Open Artist Studios Whanganui, Wendy Caldwell says.

She's one of five showing work in the former fire station building in Whanganui's Guyton St, in a studio known as the Firestation Workrooms.

Mrs Caldwell, Jodi Clark, Judy McIntyre, Janet Grubner and Katherine Claypole are all qualified artists or designers. They were showing drawings, paintings and photography.

From 10am on Saturday when the studio opened there was a steady stream of 260 people through the doors for the day. They came from Rotorua, Lower Hutt, Auckland, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Wellington - as well as from the local area.

It was a great thrill to have return visitors, Mrs Caldwell said. Some had been emailed, to let them know what the studio would show this year.

"People were returning to see work they've seen in previous years, which is incredibly affirming and satisfying."

All the artists made sales, but the event is about more than that, Mrs Caldwell said. The artists had interesting conversations with people responding to their work.

"We are very much into showing the process and having our visual diaries out. People love perusing those and getting the idea behind the work and making that connection."

The visitors appreciated the old fire station building too. It has been transformed and earthquake strengthened "up to a point".

"It's sophisticated work in a sophisticated building."

The Open Studios event is annual, for two weekends in March. Last weekend was the first. The second and final one will be April 1-2. Between the two are a series of workshops in media such as clay, felt, printmaking and photography.

The Starting Point exhibition at the Community Arts Centre in Taupo Quay shows one work from each of the 77 studios, and gives an idea of what will be on show. There are also pictures of work in the Open Studios catalogue, and on its website.