Spaces are filling up quickly for the 2023 Wānaka Autumn Arts school, with four of the 14 classes already sold out. 

The annual arts school hosts a range of workshops across the visual and performing arts, led by experienced tutors from New Zealand and further afield, for five days during the April school holidays. 

“The week of the Autumn Art School is an opportunity for people to set aside the everyday in favour of their creativity,” Wānaka Autumn Art School co-organiser Liz Hawker said.

“It brings a wide range of people together to engage in making, doing and creating in a fabulous setting.” 

Janet Malloch and Lizzie Carruthers pictured with their stencil work at the Wānaka Autumn Art School in 2019. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The art school began more than 30 years ago and it has hosted more than 5,000 students and 400 tutors since.

This year’s classes will be held at Mount Aspiring College campus from April 17 to 21. 

Highlighted workshops include creative writing with New Zealand Book Award-winner Catherine Chidgey, watercolour painting with Jacky Pearson and photography composition with Dave Wethey. 

Among the 14 classes there is also singing, stone setting, and botanical sketching booking - and even a fly fishing class covering casting, trout behaviour, trout food and general watercraft. 

More information about all the 2023 classes and their tutors can be found here.

Last year the art school was delayed until spring due to Covid-19 uncertainty.

Liz said she was excited for the return of the traditional autumn timing, which is traditionally a time of clear settled weather “enabling outdoor conversations and beautiful autumn colours.”