Now All We Need Is A 'Donkey Toilet'!

Press Release
26 July 2004

Now all we need is a 'donkey toilet'!

While no 'donkey toilet' will be on sale, every other style of art will be when the New Zealand Affordable Art Show opens its doors in mid-August.

The artists' response to the inaugural New Zealand Affordable Art Show has overwhelmed organisers with close to 800 people wanting to be part of the country's largest art event.

Chair of the Trust, which is organising the event, Mark Blumsky said that demand has been so great that, due to limitations in display space and in order to maintain quality, some work had to be declined.

"We've accepted 682 artists and about 5,000 works for sale - all priced between $100 and $5,000. There really is something for everyone and for every budget, from minimal contemporary works through to finely executed landscapes," says Mr Blumsky.

According to Mr Blumsky over $2 million worth of art will be on sale and never before will the public have had so much choice when buying a piece.

"Artist work is coming from all over the country, in fact 59% of artists are from outside Wellington. It has come from both Stewart and Chatham Islands, and from Southland all the way to Northland," says Mr Blumsky.

"We've got art from young and old - a 9 year old to a 92 year old. And work from new, emerging and established artists and I can promise you that there are some gems. If I was a gallery owner I would be along there trying to sign up some of these artists."

Mr Blumsky believes that the Trust is well on its way to achieving its objectives of providing artists with commercial opportunities and ensuring every home and office in Wellington has a piece of original New Zealand.

"Whether you are a first-time art buyer or an art collector, you need to be at this show as you will get bang for your buck. Though you'll want to get in quick because I can tell you when those doors open I'll be in there with my cheque book."

The show kicks off with a gala evening on the 12th August and runs through to Sunday 15th August. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek (www.ticketek.co.nz) or at the Events Centre in Wellington on the day. For more information visit - www.affordableart.co.nz

ENDS

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