UPTOWN ART SCENE

While most people were taking a break (or sheltering from the rain), one local art business was humming along at their busiest.

Browne School of Art’s Summer School always provides an intensive dose of inspiration, a time for creative indulgence for some and a rev-up for the year ahead for others. With all three studios full, the place was a riot of colour, markmaking, ideas and collegiality. Whether fresh-faced or long in the tooth, people experiencing their once a year soak in artmaking or honing their already considerable skills, the shared atmosphere was fun, energetic, and productive.

The school was founded 10 years ago by artist Matthew Browne, who studied at Camberwell in London and Elam, University of Auckland. Seeing a gap in visual art education, Matthew focused the school on strong working processes, alongside critical thinking and plenty of tutor contact. He has assembled 25 experienced tutors and artists to enable the teaching of painting and drawing, printmaking, illustration, and photography.

Such a group can offer a diverse range of approaches to match the many interests of artists today. Rigorous figure painting, stylised printmaking, abstract colour compositions, and objective photography all happily share the studio spaces, with inspiration spilling over from one to another. From contemporary watercolour to art history, weekend workshops to year-long courses, Browne School of Art aims to fire the imagination of the community.

While the teaching studios provide the creative crucible, they are supported by other essential resources. New ideas from established artists are encouraged with the school’s bijoux library, filled with art books, many brand new and comfortably perused on the cushioned armchairs.

The AV room allows for presentations that give wider context to the classes. Then there is the BSA Gallery, three connected spaces of bright white walls and great lighting. The Gallery regularly hosts exhibitions by artists from the wider community, making the school a real art hub for the area.

That hum of art making on the Grey Lynn ridge heralds the start of a very arty year in the ‘hood’.

www.studioart.co.nz