OUSA Art Week to happen

"Colour and life" | "Quirky and fun" | "It's like christmas" | Yay!

OUSA’s annual Art Week is set to commence on 28 July, running through until 1 August. Rachel Enright, OUSA’s Senior Events Coordinator, told Critic, “All events are open to the public, [and] we especially encourage the public to come along to the Exhibition and Sale as well as getting involved with the City Gallery Crawl.” She said, “It’s great to bring some colour and life to the campus for the week for the students and public that pass through.”

This year will see the 26th student art exhibition take place in the Union Hall. 213 pieces by 58 student artists will be displayed during the week, all of which will be up for sale to students and the general public. OUSA takes no commission for any of the work sold, so the artists have full access to all profits. Enright said, “For many students the exhibition is a space to display their work and sell for the first time.”

OUSA, in association with Blue Oyster Art Project Space, will also be holding an artist-writer speed-dating event in the University’s Main Common Room. Running from 6–7.30pm, the event gives students the opportunity to meet with other artists, writers and creative minds from all over the Dunedin area. Enright told Critic that the event is almost at capacity and will be double the size from last year. “It’s great to see such a quirky and fun event growing,” she said. As spaces are filling up quickly, registrations for this event are essential.

Thursday 31 July will see the City Gallery Crawl take place throughout the Dunedin CBD. Enright told Critic, “This year [OUSA] have teamed up with the Hocken Library, who will host the official start [at] 5pm, 31 July.” This year OUSA will provide refreshments, nibbles and a free shuttle from 5.30–6.30pm, which will travel to the city. Enright said, “The City Gallery Crawl is always a popular event for students and public, helping to celebrate the local arts community. We have five new galleries involved this year.” Maps for the galleries are available from the OUSA main office, 640 Cumberland Street. Alternatively, take a look at artweek.ousa.org.nz.

Although OUSA has not added any additional events to this year’s Art Week, Enright said, “there is always room for new ideas and projects in the coming years.” She said, “Every year the works are always new and original; it’s like Christmas when all the works are delivered to the hall for installation!”
This article first appeared in Issue 17, 2014.
Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Laura Munro.