Ben Ho guest artist Lawrence Summer Arts Festival

Artwork from Ben Ho, Rees Valley, Oil on canvas.

Queenstown artist Ben Ho will be the guest artist and a tutor at the 15th Lawrence Summer Arts Festival, to be held on the weekend of January 21 and 22, 2012.

Last year's "new-look" format was a huge success and this year's festival will offer even more. The weekend events will commence on Friday evening with the judging of the art competition. This year's theme, "Something Old - Something New", has created a lot of interest from far afield. Supporting artists and superior craftspeople's works will be showcased in and around the town throughout the weekend.

There will be an opportunity for professional artists and "budding amateurs" to attend a variety of workshops, hosted by Ben Ho, Marjorie Hay, Marilyn Davis from Timaru and local artists Angela Meecham and Mags Meechang.

Ben Ho will tutor in oil-painting techniques and Angela and Mags' workshop will feature "mixed media". These four-day workshops will be held from January 19 to 22, with the public invited to enjoy and view the artists at work on Saturday and Sunday.

Marjorie's one-day design workshop on January 19 will instruct in design techniques. Marilyn will hold two two-hour sessions on modern floral art at 4pm Saturday and Sunday at "The Ark", hosted by local florist Frieda Betman.

Added features for the weekend are a "Blokes' Corner", gourmet food, berries and ice-cream, musicians, entertainment and lots of fun.

Children are being encouraged to "try their hand" at a variety of media, including pavement and block art and sculpting, just a sample of activities on offer throughout the festival.

For more information on all activities, visit www.lawrenceartfest.blogspot.com or contact Maureen Cummings, pmcummings@xtra.co.nz, phone (03) 485-9605