Art Every Day Month Day 22 - Wanganui Rocks

I'm really excited today, it's the first day of the poker world record attempt here in Wanganui 3pm @ The GRAND HOTEL. Tony and I, my old boss from ADM casting, are going to work together once again, filming and interviewing the contestants. It's been nearly 10 years since we worked together, and I getting that feeling of rararara, we work well together and have a good laugh. We talked about starting our own talent and casting agency in Auckland, all those years back, and I wonder what it would have been like if we had.

They say that you are a product of your environment, so I thought I would tell you about Wanganui the community I live in.

Wanganui is administered by Wanganui District Council. The current mayor is Annette Main. Much of the city is on the river's northwest bank. The river is crossed by four bridges - Cobham Bridge, City Bridge, Dublin Street Bridge and Aramoho Railway Bridge (rail and pedestrians only). Close to the southeast end of the City Bridge is one of Wanganui's more unusual features, an elevator leading to a monument on the top of Durie Hill.

Here is Shaughan and I being silly in the tunnel.

A few years back Shaughan and I built wanganui.org a community website with attractions, what's on, photo gallery and much more, check it out (he broke the website a few days ago so let me know if you have any issues).

Wanganui was known to me as an art town, and with Mum and Ness living here, I decided to come here and open a working studio. The Paint Pit which is now an online gallery with over 50 artists to view. paintpit.com

The Wanganui Arts Community

I have been a committee member for the Wanganui Art Society, on and off, for the past 6 years. The Art Society buildings are situated behind Cooks Garden next to the Red Cross building. They have Saturday morning life drawing once a month, a Tuesday morning painting group, annual exhibitions and much more.  wanganuiartsociety.co.nz

A big event in Wanganui is the Whanganui Open Studios whihc has been running for 10 years, I have been in 5 of them. Wanganui artists open their studio's to the public over 2 weekends around March. It is proven to be a popular activity for many people to attend from all around the lower half of the Island. whanganuiopenstudios.org.nz

Here is a clip of my studio open for the event in 2008

I miss our old place!

The Wanganui Potter's Society is a fantastic group of people! The Studio is situated at the back of the Community Art Centre, 19 Taupo Quay. Being a member you will receive newsletters, use of the the studio and kiln, group exhibitions, groups sessions and classes, fun events, and their library. They don't have a website yet. You can visit: communityartscentre.org.nz for more information and contact details.

Our Community Arts Centre Gallery is located at 19 Taupo Quay. They have 2 gallery spaces that artists and groups can hire. Also a shop with handmade glass, pottery, fiber, paintings, wood ware, jewelery and hand made Crafts. communityartscentre.org.nz

At the Wanganui Camera Club you can be sure of a friendly welcome. You don't need to own a camera to be in the camera club, just have a interest in people and photographs. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (Feb – Nov) @ 7:30pm in the Christ Church Lounge, 243 Wicksteed Street. wanganuicameraclub.org.nz

We have a fantastic art school at UCOL, Quay School for the Arts. They have great tutors and a fantastic summer school program. If you are keen on education contact them today! ucol.ac.nz

The Wanganui Festival of Glass showcases the incredible talent of our local glass artists in the main street shop windows, at their studios or at the Information Centre in Taupo Quay. You will be astounded by their creativity, design and workmanship. wanganuiglass.com

Galleries and Studios in Wanganui

Black Sand Studio -  original art works, art workshops, studio space, interior design consultancy.
06-342 3707
SH 3, Maxwell, Wanganui
blacksandstudio.co.nz

Chroma Gallery
06-345 3120
85 Guyton St, Wanganui

Chronicle Glass Studio and Gallery - View the glassblowing process. See the stunning pieces on display
06 347 1921
2 Rutland Street, Wanganui
chronicleglass.co.nz

House Of Art & Framing - A professional art gallery and picture framing business.
06-348 4460
50 Guyton St, Wanganui
houseofart.co.nz 

McNamara Gallery Photography - exhibits New Zealand, selected Pacific Rim & International, photographically-based art. Dedicated to exhibiting and promoting lens-based media, and exploring the range of practice.
06-348 7320
190 Wicksteed St, Wanganui
mcnamara.co.nz

Mosaic Studio - Louise Herdman
06 344 8104 or 027375 4715
Rutland Street, Wanganui
mosaicpictures.co.nz

Sarjeant Gallery - Wanganui's Public Art Gallery
06-349 0506
Queens Park, Wanganui
sarjeant.org.nz

Studio 86 - A place of colour and art. Look through the online gallery for original acrylic paintings on canvas by Tina Drayton.
studio86.co.nz

SUE COOKE-ARTIST - Printmaker & Painter
06 345 0156
68A GUYTON ST WANGANUI
suecooke.co.nz

Rayner Brothers Gallery
52 Guyton Street
Wanganui
raynerbrothers.com 

Whanganui Regional Museum
06-349 1110
Watt St Wanganui
wanganui-museum.org.nz

WHMilbank Gallery - Exhibitions, art appraisal, valuations, care and advice for artwork
Hours 10.30am to 4.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday or by arrangement.
17 Taupo Quay Wanganui
027 628 6877
whmilbank.co.nz

Mangaweka "Yellow Church" Gallery - Resident artist Richard Aslett, plus local (ME), national and international artists. Painting, photography, ceramics, wood-turning, stone-carving, and more.
06 382 5447 / 0275 266 612.
State Highway One, Mangaweka (aprox 1hour North of Wanganui on SH1)
mangawekagaller.com

My Art is hanging in: 
Cracked Pepper Cafe
06-345 0444
21 Victoria Ave, Wanganui

Delicious Deli
06-347 2615
132 Victoria Ave, Wanganui

Here is a slide show of Wanganui I made in 2008

A clip I made of Castlecliff Beach June 2008

it bought a tear to my eye seeing my dog Ralph bouncing around. I miss him so much!

Here are a few paintings of Wanganui done in 2004, some of them are still to be finished. I am not a landscape painter at all, it doesn't do anything for me!

Mum and I went up the river painting and this was the outlook.

Another painting I did up the river

Up the river

Up the river, a clay hill.

The first painting I did in the Paint Pit studio, the view out the window.

A bigger view from out the window upstairs. As you can see I got bored and never finished it.

I did this painting sitting at Kai Iwi Beach looking down to the south Island.

I could write about Wanganui until the sun goes down. I have told you a lot about the arts in Wanganui, so I will end here and let you visit wanganui.org if you want to know more about Wanganui. 

'WANGANUI ROCKS'

The Youtube clip of the day is Salvador Dali on "What's My Line?" thanks Ronda x

My card for the day was MIRACLES

it said..miracles are occurring all around you right now. Begin to notice them, and you will experience them more. This card is the angels way of telling you to expect miracles. Perhaps you feel that you need a miracle right now because you can't see any other way to a solution. Be open to allowing God to help you resolve your challenges in ways that will surprise you. You open the doors for miracles when you become willing to surrender your fears to God. Visualize the angels carrying away the issue, and feel yourself supported by Gods wisdom and creativity. As you relax into the source, you are assured that blessings are surrounding you right now. Be open to a miracle coming your way.