Tararua art attracts keen buyers
With a record number of over 250 entries drawn from the Tararua and wider Manawatu¯ , the Tararua Art Exhibition under the Woodville Racecourse grandstand February 28-March 8 was bound to be a success.
Add in the display of photographer and Woodville Art and History Artist in Residence Martina Havlova and it was a hit.
One of the organisers, Paula McCool, said there were a lot of new artists providing a wide variety of art forms from landscapes to cast glass, 3D images to sculptures and abstract forms to photos on aluminium plates.
Many local artists displayed their work, Mary Murray being one of the most prolific with her local landscapes.
Mandy and Max Sutherland from Pahiatua both had exhibits, Max taking up painting only recently in retirement as his wife was a keen artist and he had not dabbled since school.
Melissa Reiri from Woodville had two items made from Harakeke Muka, the heart of the flax leaf.
Linda Satchwell from Feilding hunted out her cast glass items made when she had been training at Whanganui Glass School a decade before and now feels inspired after sales to return to her craft.
Mayor Tracey Collis congratulated Woodville Art and History on the exhibition
“putting Woodville on the map for artists”. She asked the
crowd to buy, saying she could guarantee the art would never be cheaper and artists need the validation.
Chief sponsor Scanpower’s Allan Benbow said he was delighted to see so many there to support the exhibition. He said Scanpower’s core objectives were to return a rebate to power users each year and promote worthy community events.
Czech Consul General Hana Flanderova said after three visits she now feels Woodville is like home. She hopes to return again some time with another artist in residence.
Present also was Richard Arlidge having travelled from Punakaiki on the West Coast to give Woodville Art and History some guidance with their ambition to build a permanent art gallery in the old Information Centre.
Twenty years ago he established the Aratoi Gallery in Masterton and helped out over the weekend.
The artworks were well displayed, showing the influence of Iris Kauffeld of the Odlin Art Gallery in Lower Hutt. She is selecting art work from the exhibition to feature in her gallery showing of Artists From The Bush in June.
Midway through the week, sales have been quite satisfactory according to coorganiser Kevin McIntyre, with a rush expected as the exhibition closed on Sunday March 8.