Artists Open Studios in Whanganui to celebrate key to the door

2021 AOS event co-ordinator Ness Radich (second from left) with the board of Artists Open Studios Whanganui Trust Lyndsay Patterson, Amanda Gibbons, Neil Buddle and Des Warahi. Photo / Supplied

AOS to celebrate key to the door
The board of Artists Open Studios Whanganui Trust (AOSWT) can confirm the 2021 AOS will run from March 20 to 28 next year.

It's the event's 21st year and the board would like to acknowledge and thank the artists who participate each year.

It has a special thank you to returning artists like Catherine McDonald, who was one of the founders and has been an important contributor since the beginning.

Trust chairman Neil Buddle says it is pleased to announce it's received funding and is "able to proceed in earnest on co-ordinating the event for 2021".

"After the disappointment of last year's unforeseen cancellation, we are determined to do our best to make this year's event successful for the visual arts and wider Whanganui community. We welcome new and returning artists and look forward to working with and for you all."

The board would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support of Whanganui & Partners, the Whanganui District Council and the many supporters who continue to make the event a showcase for art and the artists.

Registrations are open until Saturday, October 31.

The AOS Artist Pre-Info night was held on Monday, September 21 at Bayley Whanganui's Hall with more than 60 artists in attendance.

At the meeting, the board discussed the 2020 cancellation, the terms and conditions for the 2021 event, especially in relation to Covid-19, the event timeline and the registration process. The AOS Trail Guide will once again be produced and the trust encourages artists to run a range of workshops once again through the event period.

The board also introduced the 2021 event's co-ordinator, Ness Radich, saying it is very happy with the skills and experience Ness brings to the AOS event.

She has a background of event and volunteer co-ordination, art liaison, administration, human resources and operational management and has worked in a range of sectors in New Zealand and overseas.

"I look forward to supporting the trust and Whanganui artist community to bring this event back again for 2021 and meeting everyone involved," says Ness.

"I love engaging in projects like this that vivify an area and embrace opportunities for celebration and connection."

For more information on the event, especially the registration process, artists can contact Ness or check out the AOS website.