Family-friendly fun at Artists Open Studios

Artists Open Studios (AOS) is fast approaching on 15 to 24 March, and this year there are a range of playful opportunities for young people to be part of Whanganui’s biggest art event.

Sport Whanganui, Whanganui District Council, Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui, and Whanganui Regional Museum have partnered with AOS to bring you ‘ArtPlay,’ a range of family-friendly events and activities to discover and enjoy during the two-week festival.

Kicking things off on Saturday 16 March is the AOS Block Party on Rutland Street from 9am to 2pm. Look out for the eye-catching banners hanging across the street made by our crafty tamariki. Then grab a map and find hidden clues in artworks across town along the I Spy Art trail. Maps are available from the Whanganui iSite on Taupō Quay.

Between Drews Avenue and lower Victoria Avenue discover Butterfly Alley, where a flurry of butterflies awaits. You can pick up your own butterfly from one of the artist studios and add it to the kaleidoscope (the name for a group of butterflies – who knew?) throughout the festival.

On Saturday 16 and 23 March let your imagination run wild at the Creation Station at Ridgway Park (opposite the Rutland Arms). An outdoor space for families to relax; space, materials, and inspiration will all be provided – just BYO creativity! The Creation Station will be open from 10am to 2pm each Saturday during the festival.

ArtPlay encourages tamariki and their whānau to be active, have fun and discover hidden creative gems in our central city. Combined with the continued popularity of the Great Whanganui Play Trail and the ever-popular Tākaro Play Trailers available for community events, there has never been a better time to get out and play in Whanganui!

For more information about each of the activities, visit the Artist Open Studios website or check out our event listing.