Arty folks need to register by Sunday (July 31) for the early bird discount for the new-look Bannockburn arts school, which features inspiring week-long workshops tutored by Central locals, evening events and an exhibition.

The celebration of creativity and art was cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions so event organisers are thrilled to be back to tempt keen artists, photographers and writers.

Committee member and co founder Jan Hawkins said she’s been a part of the event since its inception 11 years ago.

Jan said it has grown significantly from two people “just doing something in the arts and keen to promote the district”. 

Along with Jan, Heather McPherson was co-founder. Former Cromwell College principal Jan owned the Bannockburn General Store and then the Bannockburn Cafe back then, and Heather established Olssens of Bannockburn.

Jan said the pair had a mutual “interest in the arts”, as local art was a feature of her cafe, and Heather put on art events and built a sculpture park at the winery.

This year’s format is 10 five day workshops (October 3-7) with tutors from our region teaching life drawing, photography, poetry writing, creative writing, cooking, watercolour, sculptural pottery and a wine masterclass.

Chef Judith Cullen’s workshop Travels in my kitchen has already sold out. It will be a foodies’ dream week, made up of a virtual tour of European cuisines (France, Italy, Turkey and then Scotland), with a focus on Central ingredients. 

There are still spots left for aspiring poets and writers in the three writing workshops. Creative Writing is tutored by songwriter and poet Laura Williamson, who is editor of magazine 1964: mountain culture/aotearoa. 

Laura Williamson first visited New Zealand as a nine year old and loves our mountains and biking

Write your family story with journalist Susan Curran, will help participants find a structure and approach to family writing projects to preserve the stories for generations to come. 

Susan visited more than 100 countries during her career as a journalist, reporting on the war in Bosnia and working for the United Nations and the UN’s Human Rights office.

Writing poetry with poet and artist Sam Duckor-Jones promises to be fun, and participants will come away with a small portfolio of original poems. Sam is currently transforming a derelict West Coast Church into a camp public sculpture: Gloria of Greymouth. He has published two books of poetry, and won awards for his writing. 

Other top picks are the Winemaking masterclass workshop with vineyard tours, tastings, and insights from top winemakers in Bannockburn (Felton Road Winery, Quartz Reef, Tannacrieff Vineyard, Black Quail Estate, and Stewart Town Vineyard).  

Wānaka’s Susie Ruddenklau will tutor the ‘Watercolour and mixed media’ workshop and stay on to show her work over the exhibition weekend. Her workshop will focus on contemporary wet on wet technique on stretched paper, with a limited palette and layering with charcoal or pastel. The group will hope to create at least three paintings during the week. 

After a year's absence Cairnmuir Woolshed will host the Artists of Bannockburn Exhibition again this spring.

The Artists of Bannockburn exhibition will be at the Cairnmuir Station Woolshed October 7-9 (koha entry). The opening event is 5pm-7pm on October 7. Well known artists of Bannockburn will be joined by some new faces, exhibiting eye-catching original pieces for sale. 

Bannockburn Arts School is run by a group of volunteers and is a subcommittee of charity organisation Arts Central. 

Jan thanked the main funders Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust and Creative Communities who support the week.

“We are [also] indebted to other local supporters and sponsors of individual events throughout the week,” she said.