Palette of advice for aspiring young Whanganui artists

Sarah Williams and Riah King-Wall will join an inspirational panel discussion at the Kate Gray Memorial exhibition on Saturday. Photo / Bevan Conley

What does it take to be a successful creative in today's world?

Artist and teacher Vanessa Wairata Edwards has assembled a panel of people who can help answer the question.

"These people are all at varying stages of their careers and all work in differing aspects of the creative world, with most having more than one role," says Edwards.

Space Gallery owner Sarah Williams and Whanganui District Council arts facilitator Riah King-Wall will join the panel.

"I think they can both offer a lot of insights and inspiration to young creatives," says Edwards.

"I would have liked this opportunity when I was a student," says King-Wall.

"It is quite daunting for young graduates looking for direction."

Williams says it is important for young artists to keep up the momentum once they gain a qualification.

"When I started Space, I had no idea whether the venture would be successful but I had to do something.

"It is really important to keep moving on that path and Whanganui is so supportive of new ventures."

All the panellists have Whanganui connections and Edwards said they all work in a diverse range of possibilities such as teaching, sound engineering, lecturing, filmmaking to name a few.

The other panellists include Cecelia Kumeroa, Sacha Te Utupoto Keating, Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti, Johnson Witehira, Israel Birch, George Agius and Lamp Studios' Abby and Caleb Kingi.

Edwards is a working artist as well as a teacher at Rangitikei College and became a trustee of the Kate Gray Memorial Trust in 2015.

The trust was established in memory of Kate Gray who was 16 when she died in a car crash in 1991.

Kate's favourite subjects were art and Māori, and the trust was established with the proceeds from a first art exhibition held in her memory in 1992.

The 2018 exhibition He Kai Kei Aku Ringa – My future is in my hands is showing at the Whanganui Community Arts Centre where the panel discussion will be held on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of donated artworks provide funding for the trust's work in mentoring young artists.

"When I came on the trust there was a desire to shift the focus and change the direction from tertiary to secondary school students," says Edwards.

"Our mentor programme is designed to support and nurture senior Māori secondary school students who demonstrate excellence, determination or motivation in the visual arts."

Edwards says everyone is welcome to attend the free event on Saturday and believes it will be beneficial for parents, teachers and artists at any stages of their careers.

"Not to mention the fact that if you haven't seen the exhibition yet, you need to."

Creative Discussion Panel: Saturday, October 6 at 10am, Whanganui Community Arts Centre, Taupo Quay.