More than 50 Whanganui and district artists are preparing to open their doors to visitors during the last two weekends in March.
 
Whanganui Artists Open Studios coordinator Jo Ockey says it will be the event’s 10th year and studios are humming with activity as artists prepare work for sale.
 
“We’ll also be celebrating a successful first decade for Open Studios with a Fringe Festival that will have plenty to entertain residents and visitors to Whanganui,” says Ms Ockey.
 
“The Whanganui Arts Marketing & Development Trust, which runs the Open Studios each year, sees the Fringe Festival as a way to showcase other local talent and the programme includes music, readings by writers and a visiting poet-performer,” she says.
 
Ms Ockey says the festival’s riverside opening on Friday March 20 will feature a night market featuring ethnic foods and entertainment.
 
“Visitors will also be able to follow progress at a stone carving symposium that will run throughout the period beside the riverfront walkway. They’ll be able to bid for the finished carvings at an auction on Sunday March 28.”
 
She says the Open Studios programme includes several artists who are new to the event, including some who have exhibited internationally. Visitors will also be able to revisit many regular Open Studios participants to follow their progress.
 
“Open Studios has become an important event on the arts calendar and it attracts many of out-of-town visitors who are keen to buy quality artworks at studio prices,” says Ms Ockey. “Whanganui’s compact layout and the hospitality of such a large number of artists and art collectives make it an ideal venue for this kind of project.”
 
Whanganui businesses were again providing strong support and had already given a significant amount in donations to help with promotion and other event costs.
 
“The economic value of Open Studios weekends has grown over the past decade and businesses also recognise what a great job our vibrant creative community does year-round of putting Whanganui on the map,” says Ms Ockey. “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate 10 years of such an important event.”
 
For more information or interviews, contact:
Jo Ockey – Event Organiser
+64 22 014 ARTS (2787)
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WWW.WHANGANUIOPENSTUDIOS.ORG.NZ