Young Artist Open Call Exhibition & Open Day 2024

Our vision for the 2024 Young Artist Open Call Exhibition was to provide high school artists (aged 14–18) with the opportunity to present their artwork in a professional, supportive environment—and to engage meaningfully with practicing artists. We aimed to offer both the young artists and their caregivers valuable insight into the working life of artists by guiding them through the full process of exhibiting in a community gallery space and facilitating interactions with arts professionals.

Following an open call sent to local high schools, four talented young artists were selected to exhibit: Logan Lewis, Neev Panchal, Evie Patterson, and Suji Son. [Read more about their exhibition here]

Each exhibiting artist received a $50 Gordon Harris materials voucher and free entry to the Young Artists Open Day, designed to further support and inspire their creative journeys.

The Young Artists Open Day, which was open to the wider community, sold out quickly—demonstrating a clear enthusiasm among young people for arts engagement. Attendees participated in two hands-on workshops:

• A perspective in drawing session led by Inverlochy tutor Ross Payne
•  A charcoal compositions workshop with 2023 Parkin Drawing Prize winner Connah Podmore

The day concluded with a school tour and an insightful artist. Exhibiting artist Logan Lewis gave a presentation on his photographs featured in the exhibition. We were also fortunate to host Ruby Wilkinson (winner of the 2022 New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award) and contemporary jeweller Thorn Richards, who shared their experiences of working in the arts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to event sponsors, Wellington City Council, as well as exhibiting artists, workshop participants, tutors, and speakers who made this event such a success. It’s clear there is a strong appetite for opportunities like this—and we’re excited to offer more in the future!