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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.
recent happenings
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.
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.
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!