Whanganui artists open their studio doors this weekend

Artists Open Studios Trust members are Kat Wade (left), Michelle Colson, Triona Cooney, Des Warahi, Lyndsay Patterson, Neil Buddle and Amanda Gibbons. Photo/Liz Wylie

Members of the Whanganui Artists Open Studios Trust are preparing for a very busy two weeks.

Initiated by Whanganui artists Catherine MacDonald and Sue Cooke in 2001, Artists Open Studios has grown from a riverside weekend event into an expansive annual arts extravaganza.

Event co-ordinator Kat Wade, exhibition co-ordinator Michelle Colson and assistant Triona Cooney have been busy assembling works for the Starting Point exhibition, which is the opening event on Friday night.

"All the studios have provided sample works for Starting Point and they provide pointers for visitors to choose which ones they want to visit and design their own itineraries," said Wade.

"We aim to make Open Studios sustainable so the glossy trail guides cost $5 this year or they can be downloaded from the website which also has extensive information about the artists and events."

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The Trust is made up of chairman Neil Buddle and trustees Des Warahi, Amanda Gibbons, Rick Baum and Lyndsay Patterson.

This year, there are more than 70 studios open in Whanganui, Waverley, Marton and Mangawekea with over 200 participating artists.

Studios will be open from 10am until 4.30pm this Saturday and Sunday and again on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.

There will also be numerous workshops, the Whanganui Walls street festival, Appetite for Art - a progressive dining and arts experience, behind the scenes tours at the Sarjeant Gallery and the Royal Wanganui Opera House will be hosting the multi-sensory art experience Sound Canvas on March 30 and 31.

Open Studios trustee Des Warahi says Whanganui is home to some world-renowned artists and is becoming known the arts destination of New Zealand.

"Artists Open Studios is proud to be part of this growing reputation."

On behalf of the Trust, l would like to thank all the participating artists and sponsors Whanganui and Partners, Liquid Edge, Inkt, H&A Print, More FM Whanganui and the many people and organisations that continue to support this iconic Whanganui event.

"I really encourage locals and visitors to get out over the two weeks and connect with a range of artist and share the art experience."

Whanganui Artists Open Studios officially opens with Starting Point at the Whanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay at 5.30pm on Friday, March 22. Guest speakers are Deputy Mayor Jenny Duncan, Whanganui MP Harete Hipango and Artist Open Studio Whanganui Chairperson Neil Buddle.