Robyn van Reenen
This year's 23rd annual Wanaka Autumn Art School is on
track for a record number of enrolments, with more than half
the courses already full and several new additions to the
programme.
The self-funded school, run by the Upper Clutha Community
Arts Council, offers 17 courses this year, up from previous
years.
Since enrolments opened at the end of December, spaces have
been snapped up, particularly for painting, which is
typically among the first courses to be booked out; and
cheese-making, which proved a hit when first run at the
school last year.
The fiction-writing course is also full, with New Zealand
author Owen Marshall a major drawcard in his return as its
tutor after a 20-year absence from the art school.
Despite being less conventional art school activities, the
fly-tying and fly-fishing courses - the only constant
fixtures at the school since its inception nearly quarter of
a century ago - remain popular.
New this year are a "Reboot Your Wardrobe" course, aimed at
giving new life to old garments, and courses for quilters and
singer-songwriters.
School co-ordinator Robyn van Reenen said numbers were up
this year from the usual 180 mark, with just over 200
enrolments taken so far.
About half the students are from Central Otago and half from
further afield, including many from the North Island.
Mrs van Reenen said visiting Wanaka for an autumn arts break
was an attractive proposition for many people.
"It's a fabulous time of year to come here and I think even
if you live in the cities ... you're busy busy, whereas this,
you get a week out and for a lot of people it means taking
leave from work and really getting into what you're
interested in."
The tutors for the art school, which boasts the lowest course
fees in the country, all come from outside Central Otago.
There are five from Australia.
"When the school was set up, the idea was that it would bring
in tutors from outside that people wouldn't have the
opportunity to do classes with otherwise; and we've stuck to
that."
The Wanaka Autumn Art School runs from April 16-20.
lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz
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