Paint, print and projections at Art Show Week

WITT art and design students are opening their campus studios and exhibition spaces to the public with a special mid-winter Art Show Week, which includes talks and workshops as well as art for sale.

Art and Design Programme Coordinator Ged Guy says the idea behind the show – which runs from June 17 to 24 – is to promote WITT’s Art and Design Programmes and connect with the Taranaki arts community, the public and high schools. It also provides students with the chance to display their art while continuing to work on their creative projects and portfolios.

“The end of year art exhibitions are a major event on the WITT calendar. But our ākonga have plenty of quality work at this stage and they are keen to share their creativity with the wider community,” says Ged.

Art Show Week will feature work by students enrolled in all levels, with a range of paintings, drawings and prints. Lightboxes, installations and projections will also be part of the diverse creative works on display, and visitors can check out artist studio spaces.

The art sale wall will display works by students available for purchase, with nothing over $100.

Ged will run a free workshop on apron-making during Wednesday lunchtimes from 12 to 1pm on June 17 and 24. With apron-shaped templates cut from recycled fabric, she will guide participants to use sewing machines to attach ties and pockets. Aprons are, after all, essential kit for artists, says Ged.

Art tutor Dr Elliot Collins will be running a workshop on papermaking on Thursday (18 June) and art student Bobi Harvey will run a workshop (June 23) on how to your own zine (a small, self-published and independently produced magazine or booklet – often with a mix of text, photography, poetry and art).

Talks by tutors and students on topical issues relating to art are also scheduled, with tutor Philippa Berry-Smith on ‘Creating Symbols’ on June 18. Art student and collector Ben Dixon will discuss ‘How to start an art collection’ on June 22.

Level 6 student Jackie Davy (pictured) is looking forward to showcasing his painting and printmaking in the Art Show Week. He decided to study art at WITT to “get out of my bubble and be challenged.”

He’s discovered the patience and discipline needed to progress in his art through his time at WITT, and says he’s thrived on the encouragement, support and sharing of ideas with tutors and other students.

Being an art student has also helped him discover more about Taranaki’s robust creative scene and to make connections in the sector. “It’s been refreshing to find out about the local art scene. Growing up, the narrative was always that you have to get away to somewhere bigger to do art.”

Connecting with other artists and wanting to explore the local environment has shifted his perspective to feeling he can nurture his artistic growth by staying here.

“Our team in art and design welcome the opportunity to showcase WITT’s Arts Faculty,” says Ged.  “Come along and have a wander around. You may be interested in enrolling in a course in July!”

All workshops and talks are free and there’s no need to book or register – just turn up during lunchtime between 12 and 1pm at F Block, WITT campus, 20 Bell Street.

Info here: https://www.witt.ac.nz/events/art-and-design-show-week