Fourteen Whanganui artists have participated in an event that is the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Space Studio & Gallery on Taupo Quay hosted its inaugural 24-Hour Art Jam, an all-day-and-night event in which artists produce a piece for auction in 24 hours.
Owner of Space Studio & Gallery Sarah Williams said more than 200 people had visited the gallery throughout the event to see what on-the-spot works the artists produced.
Kirsty Morton from lovelifelive gets visitors involved in the action by painting their faces. Photo / Lewis Gardner
"The idea of this event is artwork starting at its rawest form and that appealed to me. It starts as a blank canvas and people can watch it as it's created for 24 hours," Williams said.
In the area Ayyad lived in, there was an annual event called the 24-Hour Art Marathon.
Blake Schwamm injected a bit of youth into the event and got dressed up with Bronwyn Hughes. Photo / Lewis Gardner
"Every year they'd get together, have this event, get artists to do a piece within 24 hours and they'd open it up to the public," Ayyad said.
"I did it one year and it was fun to be out at 2 o'clock in the morning doing art."
Ayyad moved here with his partner, who is a physician at Whanganui Hospital. He calls himself an "admirer of art".
When visiting the Space gallery one day, Ayyad made a remark about Whanganui's vibrant art scene and mentioned the Canadian festival to Williams.
John Keating performed some tunes for visitors to listen to at Space Studio & Gallery while they had a look around. Photo / Lewis Gardner
"I am very experienced with the Whanganui arts community and I knew it was the type of event that our artists would jump at the opportunity to take part in," Williams said.
"It was exciting for me to be able to test the waters with something completely new."
Williams has a close relationship with Women's Network Whanganui manager Carla Donson and the two collaborate together frequently.
Williams thanked everyone who sponsored the art jam and said she was keen to keep testing the idea into the future.
Laura Papple painted up a storm and provided some pieces for the auction. Photo / Lewis Gardner
"A 24-hour event is quite a proposition for Whanganui, so next time we'll look at creating some more opportunities in the early hours for people to come out," she said.
