A well established group for artists within the community.
An artist group in whanganui, new zealand
all are welcome
Join us on Thursdays at 243 Wicksteed Street
Come and paint with other River City Artists in one of the best facilities in town.
Learners, novices, hobbyists or professionals – All are welcome.
Membership – $30 per year.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us
About River City Artists
River City Artists is a non-affiliated group of artists who meet each Thursday to paint, enjoy each other’s company and learn from each other.
The group was started in 2016 by Val Donkervoort and now has over 20 like-minded members. As well as painting on a Thursday, we organise two or three workshops during the year, working on different styles and media. We also have some social outings –such as a restaurant meal or a trip to Palmerston North to visit art supply shops.
The aim of the group is for artists to have a space where they can work on a regular basis in a relaxed environment with other like-minded people. We have people at all levels in the group from beginners to very experienced. Everyone is welcome to come along and be part of the group.
Dennis Clark is our Patron. Dennis is a local professional artist who, along with his artist son, Nolan, runs on-line art classes. The link to their websites are: Paint Basket Art Classes and Online painting and drawing classes & lessons — Online Art Lessons. Dennis has been painting since he was 11 years old. He has been a registered art teacher since 1987 and he became a full-time professional artist when he retired from engineering in 1994. We got to know Dennis not long after the group started when we were looking for judges for a competition. Dennis and Nolan judged the competition and then gave everyone comments on what they liked about the entries. Dennis took an interest in the group and donated a large number of books for our library and we were delighted that this lovely man agreed to become our patron.
What some of our members say
Coming up
Keep up to date with upcoming events.
Bi-Monthly Group Challenge – 26 June 2025
Our next challenge is to create an artwork with the theme “I wish I had.”
We are looking forward to seeing what the members come up with – it will be interesting to see how the members view this challenge as there are a number of ways to interpret the theme.
Our challenges are a fun way to stretch ourselves and try something different.
Yellow House Cafe –Exhibition of Group Members Artwork – May 2025
We are delighted that the Yellow House Cafe has agreed to display our artworks over the month of May 2025. All art displayed will be for sale.
Encourage your friends and family to come along to enjoy a coffee at the Yellow House and to browse our art.
River City Artists AGM – 10am 26 June 2025
We deferred the AGM to 26 June as so many people were away at the end of May. Our AGM is the time where we confirm our committee for the next year and look back on what we have accomplished over the past year.
All members are strongly encouraged to be at the AGM.
recent happenings
Bi-Monthly Group Challenge – 24 April 2025
This month the challenge was to paint a picture in the style of our favourite artist. Group members either copied a painting from their favourite artist or painted something original in the same style.
The varied and interesting art we produced is shown below.
Our challenges are a fun way to stretch ourselves and try something different.
Artists Open Studios – 15-23 March 2025
Several of our members opening their studios as part of the Open Studios weeks in March. Mary’s studio “Art Attack” was very popular and she sold a number of paintings over the ten days. Sally, Sandie, Angela, Michael and Margaret had a gallery at Sandie’s house. They sold a few items.
River City Artists is planning on having a whole group studio exhibition for 2026. Watch this space!
Vintage Weekend Art Exhibition – Friday 17th to Monday 20th January
The group had a very successful exhibition over Whanganui Vintage weekend, with a large number of people coming through over the four days. Most of the exhibitors sold paintings over that time, mostly to out of towners.
The oil and cold wax abstract paintings were very popular.
A huge thank you to the team of members who spent a day getting the exhibition ready and for all the members who took turns to be on site.
We had a raffle of a gourmet food basket to raise money for the club, which was very popular and won by Sue Browne from Whanganui.
Artist of the month
Christine Wilson
MEMBER OF RIVER CITY ARTISTS
Christine’s mother loved art and Christine learned to love art as well from an early age. Her husband used to dabble in artworks as well, which helped to keep her interest up. It is definitely in the family as her granddaughter is now developing a love of art as well.
Christine started out with acrylics. “Just dabbling,” she says. She wanted to improve so she attended night classes here in Whanganui with Frances Higgans and later with Pauline Alomes.
When she retired from teaching she decided she wanted to paint portraits of her grandchildren at 18 months old so to get the help she needed with this she joined a weekly class with Sheila Pearson.
Pastel is now Christine’s preferred medium for her art. She got into this because she attended a workshop with Julie Gregg while on a South Island trip and loved the way she could express herself using this medium.
Christine enjoys coming to River City Artists each week and is always looking to challenge herself. She would like to try doing portraits of her grandchildren now that they are older – and her challenge to herself is to do this without help.
Get in Touch
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