Whanganui artists prepare to open studio doors

Catherine MacDonald says Whanganui people have supported Artists Open Studios from the very beginning. Photo/Bevan Conley

Catherine MacDonald says Whanganui Artists Open Studios is always a good time to get her studio in order.

"The approach of Artists Open Studios always inspires me to have a clear out," she says.

Her Campbell St studio is a former church hall with arched windows shedding plenty of light on her prints, drawings and furniture pieces.

When she opens her studio to visitors next month, they will get to see her lovingly restored 1878 Albion letterpress in action.

Apart from her urge to purge, MacDonald is pretty relaxed about opening her studio because this will be her 17th year of participation.

In 2001, she initiated the first Artists' Open Studios with fellow Whanganui artist Sue Cooke.

"At the time, the warehouses along Taupo Quay were neglected and we thought they would make great art spaces.

"Holding the open studios in those buildings made people realise how beautiful they were inside."

"Hundreds of Whanganui people came along to that first weekend - the support was wonderful."

Another early open studios participant is potter Ross Mitchell-Anyon who will be opening his home and working studio again this year.

A total of 83 individual artists and groups will be participating in Artists Open Studios this year and event manager Kelly Scarrow said some of the new participants have moved to Whanganui in order to participate.

The event now runs over two weekends with a starting point exhibition launch on March 16.

A number of specialist weekday and evening workshops are on offer and Whanganui chefs at The Blend, Frank Bar and Eatery, and The Big Orange will demonstrate their food art with Appetite for Art progressive dinners.

Take it Easy Tours will provide a service to transport art lovers to studios on both weekends and there will be a fundraiser auction of work donated by Whanganui artists at the Sarjeant Gallery on March 24.

Studio guides and booking information are available at the Whanganui i-Site or visit openstudios.co.nz