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.
Artists Open Studios (AOS) – March 2026
River City Artists will have a studio at Artists Open Studios for 2026. It will be open to the public over the two weekends of AOS.
Our Studio will be based at a member’s house, 7 Peakes Road, St John’s Hill. We are delighted to have this space because there are a number of other studios in the area – including one right next door. This should make for a good vibe for AOS.
Coloured Pencil Workshop with Sandra Morris – Thursday 30 April 2026
Renown local artist Sandra Morris will take a full day workshop on colour pencil techniques.
We are looking forward to the opportunity to learn from such a talented artist.
Thank you Sandra for agreeing to take this workshop for us.
Watercolour Workshop with Sue Cooke – Date TBC
Renown local artist, Sue Cooke will take a workshop for members of the group on watercolour techniques. The workshop will be held at Sue’s studio, Jacaranda Studios.
The date is to be confirmed.
Cost is $90 per person. All materials will be supplied.
Bi-Monthly Challenge – Thursday 26 February 2026
Our first Bi-monthly challenge for the year is to create an artwork with the theme “Animal”. Artists are encouraged to let their creative juices flow.
On the 26th everyone will bring their artworks to the group and we will display them. It is fun trying to guess who did which artwork.
recent happenings
Art Exhibition – Vintage Weekend 2026 – 16 – 19 January 2026
Once again River City Artists held a very successful exhibition at the Community Gallery on Taupo Quay. Nineteen artists submitted their artwork for the exhibition and we sold a total of 36 paintings.
We are delighted to be able to have the exhibition over Vintage weekend when so many people come from out of town for the festivities.
2026 Calendar
River City Artists group created a calendar for 2026 featuring artworks from members of our group.
The calendar sold well and we plan to do another one for 2027.
There are a few copies of the calendar still available for purchase at a reduced rate.
Bi-Monthly Group Challenge – Thursday 18 December 2025
Our challenge this month was to create a monochrome artwork.
As usual we got a wide variety of artworks and different styles. It is always fun to guess which artwork was done by which member! Mostly we get it right, but sometimes someone will have done something completely different to their normal style.
Our challenges are a fun way to stretch ourselves and try something different.
Monochrome photos of some of the art are below. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Group Art Exercise – – Thursday 11 December 2025
Our group exercise this month was to create an artwork based on a photo of an old boat pulled up on the beach. Everyone enjoyed this day and as usual the variety of artworks was amazing, with people using watercolour, pencils, acrylic, and oils.
Christmas Lunch – 25 November 2025
We had a wonderful Christmas lunch at Bushy Park. The team at the Homestead produced a wonderful meal with all the usual trimmings which was extremely well presented.
The 17 members of the group who attended had an excellent time and enjoyed giving and receiving the Secret Santa gifts.
Demonstration Workshop – Making a Floating Picture Frame – Thursday 2 October 2025
Art group member, Sally Gray, showed interested members how she makes floating frames for her paintings.
The process is quite time consuming because you have to wait for the glue to dry at each stage but Sally had pre-prepared frames at each of the stages. She said she felt a bit like she was Alison Holst doing a cooking demonstration.
The participants felt they had a good idea of how to proceed with framing.
Group Exercise – Thursday 4 September 2025
The exercise was to create an abstract artwork based on a portrait. Members were given the photo the week before and were able to plan their artwork.
On Thursday we all worked on the painting based on the photo. Members agreed that this was a fun exercise and that it was good to be all working on the same thing at the same time.
Unfortunately, no-one got their artwork completely finished by the end of the day but below is a sample of the variety and innovation of the group as they used their imaginations to create an interesting piece of art. Most of the group planned to finish their painting at home.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Bi-Monthly Group Challenge – August 2025
This month the challenge was to paint an Abstract picture,
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!
Artist of the month
Michelle Harris
MEMBER OF RIVER CITY ARTISTS
Michelle has been dabbling in art for about ten years and by following other artists on line she has picked up tips and gained confidence in her own art.
She first started working with oil pastels, mostly by doing easy nude sketches but has is now working mostly with acrylics. When she first started she didn’t have an understanding of how to get the most out of acrylics but since joining River City Artists, she has learned a lot and grown in her artwork through watching other artists and getting their help.
Michelle enjoys experimenting with acrylics and, as she gains confidence she hopes to expand into other media as well. The inspiration for her paintings usually comes straight from her own mind and heart but she does sometimes copy the works of other artists and finds she learns from doing this.
“Creating a painting is a magic feeling,” says Michelle and she loves being part of the River City Artists group because there is magic all around.
Click on the images below to expand them and see the whole picture.
Get in Touch
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