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ARTIST OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2023 MARGARET HAITANA
Margaret always enjoyed art when she was younger, but living in Raetihi there wasn’t much tutoring available. When she moved to Whanganui fourteen years ago, she enrolled in classes with Sheila Pearson where she learnt “how to put paint onto canvas.”
Since then, Margaret has been involved with different groups at different times and finally joined the River City Artists in 2017.
She enjoys painting with acrylic paint and using mixed media in her artwork. Subjects are varied.
Other interests include scrap booking and card making.
Artist of the Month - September 2023 Val Donkervoort
Val is a self-taught artist who works with watercolours, acrylics oils and mixed media. Watercolours are her favourite medium .to work with.
Val always loved art and painting as a child – she reckons it was the only thing she was good at in school. However, she did not get into serious painting until she was semi-retired and living in Tauranga.
Not long after she started painting she joined the Tauranga Art society. “It was such a vibrant group,” she says. “I was hooked on both art and the group.” Val became very involved with the Tauranga group. She served on the committee for eight years, was President for two years and Exhibition Co-ordinator for five years. And was made a Life Member in 2022
Val has won several awards from the Tauranga Art Society and was runner-up in the Supreme Award 2022. She has also won the Vidals Supreme Award in Hastings for Best Painting and runner-up for people’s choice.
Val was keen to help group members who wanted some extra help with their art, so started teaching sessions at her home. At one point she had up to 30 students which kept her very busy. Val loves teaching and helping people to improve their skills.
Val moved to Waipukurau and joined the Ōtāne Art group, which she loved.
She has exhibited in Hastings, Taranaki, Waihi, Jensen’s Fine Arts in Palmerston North, Pukeora Estate and Vidals Winery.
Val settled in Wanganui 8 years ago but was unable to find a group where she was able to paint all day. So, to meet this need, she started the River City Artists group. She loves being part of this growing group of enthusiastic artists. She is President of the group and responsible for organising workshops and exhibitions.
