A rare opportunity to buy impressive artworks from some of the Western Bay of Plenty's more prominent artists, while supporting local youth programmes, is coming up this month.
The Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise's Treasured Art Exhibition and Auction returns to Tauranga on May 18-20.
Nearly 90 pieces of art will be on show from Thursday, May 18, to Saturday, May 20, at Tauranga Yacht Club.
The fundraiser, run by the club since 2012, has raised more $325,000 for charities supporting youth initiatives – primarily the Graeme Dingle Foundation, says an organiser Kathy Webb.
Pieces of art – including some well-known artists such as Anita Blanchett and Arthur Dagley – will be on sale from May 18-20, with hopes of raising much-needed funding for Kiwi Can, a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme that aides youth development programmes in schools.
Kiwi Can
Kiwi Can is an energy-packed primary school programme aimed at children aged five-12. It teaches values such as integrity and respect, helps build resilience and delivers fun-filled learning to schools all around the country.
Well-known artists to feature include consistent donor Anna Blanchett from Queenstown. 'Her work is exquisite and very sought-after.” Other regulars are Peter Wallers, Rob McGregor, Yana Meech and Lynne Brown.
The 2023 event is at Tauranga Yacht Club. Artists who've applied to be in the Treasured Art Exhibition and Auction event go through a selection process. They agree to either donate their work 100 per cent, or to share the proceeds 40 per cent to charity and 60 per cent for their work. 'This year we've included a couple of photographs that have been enhanced and are particularly beautiful. Also some more quirky items such as a copper-enhanced surfboard, and a copper wall piece along with a wood and pounamu greenstone sculpture by past WBOP Mayor Garry Webber.”
Free exhibition entry
'The exhibition is free for all to enter, but we need to ticket the auction to ensure we keep the numbers under 250,” says Kathy.
The exhibition is 10am-6pm Thursday, May 18; 10am-4pm Friday, May 19; and 10am-noon Saturday, May 20. The action, by ticket entry, is 6pm-9pm May 19. Tickets at: https://treasuredart-on-the-harbour.eventbrite.co.nz