STEPHEN HAMPSON
Springvale
Unsafe drivers
I totally agree with Gary Stewart about road abusers, (letters, Chronicle, Friday April 13).
Jacinda Ardern should check with statistics (if there are any) about what causes road accidents.
At a guess, I would estimate 80 per cent are caused by motorists who lose concentration, lack concentration, are impatient or inconsiderate when driving.
I see them almost every day, not giving way at intersections, thinking they can zoom out in front of oncoming traffic, indicating one way and turning the other. Drivers who overtake when they shouldn't, and slow drivers on the highways who don't pull over to let lines of traffic behind them pass safely.
This causes frustrated drivers to take risks. I could go on and on with other examples, but I'm sure you all will have witnessed unsafe drivers doing stupid things out on the roads. Overseas tourists, as well, cause their share of accidents.
So it's got to be inconsiderate or incompetent motorists who cause more accidents than the state of the roads. If you watch the TV programmes Highway Cops or Road Cops they will show you only too well the idiot drivers who are out and about everywhere.
Unfortunately, police can't be everywhere to stop every foolish or incompetent driver.
I don't know what the answer is, but no matter how much money the Government throws at making our roads safer, the incompetents will still be out and about, causing more accidents.
PAULA RODGERS
Castlecliff
Open Studios
The trustees and I, as chair, of Artists Open Studios, wish to thank all the artists who participated in this year's record-breaking event.
Your creative and diverse energies and 82 venues spoilt the public for choice.
We thank event management at Mainstreet: Kelly Scarrow for hundreds of hours of hands-on work and nurturing; Whanganui and Partners, our main funders in our 18th year and, the businesses who advertised with us and provided discounted services, and the town centre businesses where more than 35 shops hosted artworks in their shop windows. The town centre was literally buzzing both weekends and the suburbs alive with our flags and people with firmly held catalogues or cellphones checking our website, which crashed at times from sheer numbers.
To some, the name no longer reflects what it has become. Because of sheer numbers, many permanent or temporary venues cannot have the artist at work. Nevertheless, we have encouraged artists to rope in friends to help, with more studios than previously able to offer an artist at work or provide hands-on workshops.
Yes, we do market some aspects of our town to draw people into that wider experience. It's a beautiful town and, artistically and visually, it is worthy of mention. Importantly, it is to experience a town with such a massive diversity of artistic endeavour and, where those artists are at in that journey.
We do not curate the event. Nor do we decide who is an "artist" or not. We do have many an emerging or established artist and those of national and, yes, international renown. We let the public travel and let their finances decide on their purchase. It's egalitarian. It's inclusive, not exclusive. It's Kiwi as.
Personally, I have added two artworks to my home; one of modest beginnings, light-hearted but skilfully made, and one ... well, it was expensive, it was my 60th birthday, and so my partner um ... had to cough up. Perfect timing. Spoilt for choice, that's Artists Open Studios.
The last two weekends in March 2019; circle it!
ROSS FALLEN
Artists Open Studios
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