NZ's largest ever art sale officially opened

Press Release
12th August 2004

New Zealand’s largest ever art sale officially opened.

Prime Minister Helen Clark tonight officially opened the inaugural New Zealand Affordable Art Show at the Wellington Events Centre.

Helen Clark is excited about the opportunity that the show can provide to both emerging and established artists.

“The show’s vision is for every home and office to have a piece of original New Zealand art on their walls. Internationally, events like this have opened up the art world to a whole new audience and that provides artists with new commercial opportunities,” says Helen Clark.

Chair of the Trust, which is organising the event, Mark Blumsky said that over $2 million worth of art will be on sale and never before have the public had so much choice when buying an art piece.

“There are 682 artists on show and about 4,500 works for sale – all priced between $100 and $5,000. We actually have so much art that we can’t physically put it all on display at the same time. Every day will be a different experience,” says Mark Blumsky.

“Artist work has come from all over the country, in fact 59% of the artists are from outside Wellington. It has come from both Stewart and Chatham Islands, and from Southland all the way to Northland. Whether you are a first-time art buyer or a collector, you need to be here as there are some real gems waiting to be discovered.”

The show is being held at the Wellington Events Centre through to Sunday 15th August, and comprises art works across the mediums of painting, photography, glass, ceramics and sculpture.

Proceeds from the event will be used by the charitable trust to assist artists in furthering their careers, with the show only being possible due to the support of Wellington City Council, Pub Charity and the Community Trust of Wellington.

More information is available at www.affordableart.co.nz.

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