Artists flourish at Summer Do

Arty types from around the country have descended on Whangarei's Quarry Arts Centre for its annual Summer Do art school.

The "Do" has about 100 people enrolled on a variety of courses that teach everything from making silver rings to pizza ovens in the week-long course, which started on Saturday.

Quarry Arts Centre manager Andrea Beazley said there were lots of regulars who came every year and supported the event.

One of the popular courses this year is jewellery-making: an introduction to working in silver. The three-day 10-person course is run by Auckland man Brian Adam and places are full.

"It's the first time we've done a jewellery course and we've had a waiting list for about two months," Ms Beazley said.

Other courses at the Summer Do include Darjit garden sculpture, wood-turning and carving, ceramics, pizza oven-making and an introduction to earth-building, conceptual and installation art, printmaking, and a range of painting courses.

Professional tutors are on hand to offer expertise and guidance in the hands-on courses. The Summer Do also includes evening informal talks by participating tutors.

Advocate photographer John Stone was there for the start of the work and the newspaper will return later in the week to capture the finished artworks.