The Artists Society
Gisborne

It is apt that a Society of Artists be housed in such a romantic setting - the charming historic villa Lysnar house was gifted to the Artists Society in the early 1970s as a venue from which to promote the arts in the Gisborne region, and now sits perched on a riverbank beneath towering trees. Today Lysnar House continues to play host to a flurry of artistic activities, from printmaking, to painting, silvercraft, pottery and ceramics.

In the early days of the Society's existence aspiring members were required to submit no less than six paintings for consideration by 'the Artists' in order to gain status as a student artist of the society. Once a student artist, you would wait in great anticipation for the day when you might be invited to accompany the Artists on a day of alfresco painting at Wainui Beach, the Botanic Gardens or perhaps the Eastwood Hill Arboretum. Rising the ranks from Student Artist to fully-fledged Artist required another submission of six paintings.

The Artists now constitute the honorary life members, whose names are listed on a plaque that hangs on the wall. Times have unarguably changed but the focus of the society remains the same.

Open art sessions are held on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 2:30pm. This is a relaxed, informal group setting in which participants paint, draw, sketch or whatever else might take their fancy.

The Printmakers have been meeting at Lysnar House for over thirty years. The group has in their possession an excellent printing press. They work mainly in the zinc-plate etching process; a time-consuming but satisfying process, by all accounts and also use the solar-plate technique, make collagraphs and dry-point etchings.
They meet on the first Sunday of every month, from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Newcomers be warned...you will get dirty, and very likely addicted. Contact Norman on 867 3423.

Lysnar House is also home to the Potters. They have fantastic facilities, half a dozen pottery wheels, two kilns and group raku firings are held a couple of times a year. The potters meet on the first Tuesday of every month and classes and workshops are also in the pipeline.
Contact Seymour May on mayfirepottery@xtra.co.nz or 867 3071.

The Silvercrafting Group meet on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00pm, with help and equipment available. Contact Gwenda at gwendascottage@xtra.co.nz.

Life Drawing Classes are held on Monday nights from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Contact Fran on fran@surferseye.net for further details.

The Artists Society exhibit annually at the Tairawhiti Museum.

Fees: Membership to the Artists Society is $20 per annum, and $25 per annum to become a Friend of the Museum. Members are entitled to exhibit at the museum and receive a discount at the Museum Gallery Shop, Art Beat.
If you are interested in joining the Artists Society or would like more information please contact Graham Morris on (06) 868 5170 or
graywendmorris@slingshot.co.nz

Go to our Resources Section for short courses currently run by the Artists Society.