Looking back on two decades of Whanganui Artists Open Studios and forward to 2021

Whanganui Artists Open Studios founder Catherine McDonald in her Campbell St studio with her trusty antique letterpress. Photo / Bevan Conley

When Covid-19 precautions stepped up in March it became evident that Whanganui Artists Open Studios (AOS) 2020 would not be going ahead.

Although some artists opened their doors on March 21, the country was bracing itself for further social restrictions and the eagerly anticipated annual arts event ground to a halt.

Catherine Macdonald, a co-founder of the event, made the decision to close her Campbell St studio in the former church hall where she produces prints on her lovingly restored 1878 Albion letterpress as well as producing drawings and furniture.

"There weren't many people coming in and it became obvious that I should close," she says.

"I know everyone was disappointed but we all knew we had to do our bit to protect public safety."

But the board of Artists Open Studios Whanganui Trust (AOSWT) has confirmed the event will be back for 2021.

AOS will run from March 20 to 28 next year and they have appointed new co-ordinator Ness Radich who is experienced in events and volunteer co-ordination, art liaison and operational management across a range of sectors in New Zealand and overseas.

"I look forward to supporting the trust and Whanganui artist community to bring this event back again for 2021 and meeting everyone involved," Radich said.

"I love engaging in projects like this that vivify an area and embrace opportunities for celebration and connection."

This year was the 20th anniversary of Whanganui's first arts trail which Macdonald founded with fellow artist Sue Cooke in 2001.

That first two-day event attracted around 500 visitors to a row of neglected warehouses on Taupo Quay and established the blueprint for an arts event that has grown well beyond their estimations.

"I remember feeling pretty exhausted after that first weekend," Macdonald said.

"We didn't really know what to expect and the support from locals was incredible.

"Although it has now become a destination for so many visitors it is local people who have supported it from the beginning and continued that support so I really can't thank the community enough."

The inspiration to hold an artists' open studios event came from a similar project held in Cambridge in the UK.

"Taupo Quay was a very different place back then," MacDonald said.

"There was not a lot of obvious activity like there is today and only artists knew about all the work being produced inside the studios.

"We wanted to showcase what was happening and demonstrate the diversity of art forms being practised."

Macdonald said the intention was partly to educate the community about what was being generated by artists and also to liven up the riverside area.

"The River Traders Market didn't exist then so it was a way to bring some weekend life to the area."

From its humble beginnings, Whanganui Artists Open Studios has grown to become a city-wide, two-weekend arts extravaganza with 84 studios registered for the 2021 event.

As AOS has evolved and studios have spread across the city and to the regions, many of them are now pop-up venues or rooms in homes which don't normally function as studios.

Macdonald believes that is good for artists who don't have the luxury of space.

"I am really fortunate to have plenty of space in my studio and my parents always come and help me each year but some artists don't have those advantages.

"For those who normally work at their kitchen tables or in cramped spaces, it is really good that they are able to share venues to showcase their art and collaborate with others.

"We still have the original concept where visitors can see artists working in their studios as well as see artists' work on display and I think there is room for both. It's realistic and allows for diversity."

Although Catherine Macdonald has kept AOS trail guide copies since 2001 she believes the move to digital guides has been a practical evolution. Photo / Bevan Conley

Macdonald also likes the way the AOS trust has developed digital access to Whanganui artists' work and recalls the labour intensity of the early days when hard copy information had to be delivered or posted to spread information.

"People liked the printed guides and they were keepsakes but there was a lot of cost and wastage involved.

"You can still purchase guides or print a downloadable version from the website and there are maps for people to carry with them when they visit the studios.

"I'm really glad the event has carried on and I'm very much looking forward to next year."

For more information on the event, especially the registration process, artists can contact Ness or check out the AOS website at openstudios.co.nz.