On track for 2023 Artists Open Studios gets ready for next year

• Published date: 28 September 2022

Systems are already in place, there are no COVID restrictions and optimism is running high

Charlie is refreshed and has renewed energy after time away from the event and time away from Whanganui. Eight weeks with family in Yorkshire, enjoying the countryside, picnicking, playing cricket and football, has enabled her to come back to Artists Open Studios with new vigour.

Last year, being aware that this was an entirely new event for her, Charlie was under pressure to come up with new ideas and new ways to present the two weekends in a way that would please the people who took her on as co-ordinator. But ...

“What is Artists Open Studios? It’s boutique, it’s a niche event that’s focused on the artists: their studios, their livelihood, in their homes. We don’t need to put all this street entertainment and music acts on, because that’s not about the artists and their art. We look at the event calendar from Boxing Day through to April, it’s massive.”

Charlie wants to keep Artists Open Studios simple and keep it all about the artists, their studios and their work. Undistracted, people can see more studios and more art.

“I feel my role, this year, is about bringing people to Whanganui. I want to target art collectors, buyers, art enthusiasts around [the country], and bring them, because they’re the ones who are going to want to see the studios, and we get to showcase our talent. It’s a great event: it doesn’t need dismantling and changing.”

The trust is launching registrations from October 1 till October 31. Registration and payment is now due at the same time. That removes an unnecessary administration process, says Charlie. The artists have been informed by advertising and newsletter. Registration fees have also increased this year from $175 to $200.

“That gives them registration, their slot in the trail guide and on the website, and they will get promoted on social media. We don’t market individual artists nationally: we market the event nationally. We can bring them to the town, but it’s up to [the artist] to attract the buyers, the enthusiasts into their studios.

“From a marketing point of view, and knowing how much things cost, I think they get a really good deal.”

Charlie says they’re looking at putting workshops on this year, with...