Mazda Artworks 2007 – “Painting With The Mayors”

July 20, 2007

Mazda Artworks 2007 – “Painting With The Mayors”

Auckland mayors are taking to the canvas this month to capture what makes their city or district so special and raise money for charity at this year’s Mazda Artworks.

Six mayors are to create art pieces – some with tutoring from A-Class artists within their region – to raise funds for Variety Gold Heart Scholarships to benefit a disadvantaged youth within each mayor’s city or district.

“Painting with the Mayors” is a new highlight of Mazda Artworks, a week long celebration of New Zealand art and artists and one of Auckland’s leading cultural and charitable events.

The mayoral artists are Auckland City mayor Dick Hubbard, Waitakere City mayor Bob Harvey, Manukau City mayor Sir Barry Curtis, North Shore City mayor George Wood, Papakura District mayor John Robertson and Franklin District mayor Mark Ball.

Each mayor has been provided with all the materials needed and most have been linked with an artist from his area for advice and support. However, the professional artists are not allowed to place any material on the canvas – and to prove this each work will be accompanied with a statutory declaration of authenticity.

The mayors will attempt on canvas to interpret the essence of what their city or district means to them. It could be the colourful mix of ethnicities, a vibrant landscape or something else the mayor feels reflects some feature of his area.

Painting started early July and all works are to be completed by the end of July.

The paintings will be displayed to the public as part of the Mazda Artworks week (August 27th – 1st September) when visitors can vote for the work of their choice. Donations from each text will be credited to the specific mayor’s total, benefiting Variety.

At a Friends of Variety hosted luncheon at Mazda Artworks on August 31st, the winning mayor will be announced and the mayors’ works will be auctioned.

The annual Mazda Artworks exhibition and sale of art at the Hilton Auckland has around 400 artists exhibiting more than 900 works of art, as well as separate exhibitions promoting emerging art for both fine art students and secondary school art students.

Since its inception in 2002, Mazda Artworks has raised over $1 million for artists and charities have received more than $600,000.

Variety Gold Heart Scholarship Fund

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the talents of New Zealand children with special needs and to help them achieve their life goals in music, the arts, education or sport.

The Scholarship Fund makes available to each recipient a maximum of $5,000 per annum for up to three years to help fulfil their dreams. This could include assisting with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, the purchase of training equipment, travel or accommodation. Leading professionals and celebrities will mentor successful applicants in their chosen pursuits.

Applications are reviewed by the Variety Grants Committee and scholarships are granted to applicants who can show their passion and commitment to a long term life or career aspiration. Applicants need to be eligible under Variety's 'special needs' criteria, being sick, disabled or disadvantaged in some way and be under the age of 18 years in the year of application.

Applications will open soon for 2008 Variety Gold Heart Scholarships. For more information please go to www.variety.org.nz

ENDS

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