Artworks still on show after close contest
It was close, but Jan Goldie’s Colour Therapy was voted the people’s choice at the recent Te Puke Art Society’s annual exhibition.
Jan’s work received just one more vote than Earth Shine by Caroline Lysaght.
While the exhibition took place over Labour Weekend, many of the works can still be seen at the society’s Constables Gallery in Commerce Lane on Thursdays, the society’s meeting day, between 9.30am and 2pm.
The exhibition was opened by Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber, who noted the society had been in existence since 1966.
“I am sure [it] will continue well into the future. The Te Puke community, I hope, truly values what it does for the community.”
He also thanked society patron Audrey Baldwin for the many years of work she has done to ensure art and culture are not forgotten as an integral part of the fabric of Te Puke.
The exhibition features previously unseen works and also included a display by Tokoroa Potters.
During the year members received tuition from Whakatane artist Robyn Watchorn, exhibited reciprocally with The Whakatane Art and Craft Society and welcomed several new members to the club.
The Art Society has finished lining the walls with felt this year.
“This make the gallery warmer and helps make presenting the hanging art more interesting,” said secretary Adrienne Cleaver.
The Art Society is open to anyone interested in learning to try out different mediums to create all kinds of art.
Constables Gallery is a historic building owned by the society, which has received some funding for the upkeep of the old building.
One of the aims of the Art Society is to preserve one of Te Puke’s best known and oldest buildings for the local artists of the future.