Art Is A Lifesaver: Unique Artwork To Raise Funds For Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club

A powerful new collaboration between artists Ellie Compton and Clint C will see art and community come together in support of Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club.

Created especially for the NZ Art Show, Art is a Lifesaver is a one-off collaborative artwork, with 100% of proceeds being donated to Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club.

The initiative celebrates not only creativity and collaboration, but also the people and organisations who work tirelessly to keep Wellington’s coastline safe.

Known for their distinctive artistic styles, Ellie Compton and Clint C have combined their practices to create a work that speaks to connection, generosity, and the spirit of the coast. The piece will be auctioned as part of the Show, giving collectors and supporters the opportunity to own a unique artwork while directly contributing to a meaningful cause.

Clint C also recognises the impact art can have on wellbeing and connection, having previously created works to raise funds for causes including I Am Hope and other charitable initiatives.

For the NZ Art Show, the project reflects a wider understanding that art is more than something to simply hang on a wall; it can be a conduit for conversation, healing, storytelling, and connection.

Over more than two decades, the NZ Art Show has built a platform that not only supports artists commercially, but also demonstrates the wider social impact creativity can have within communities. From raising awareness and funds for important causes, to helping people feel seen, inspired, or connected, the Show continues to champion the idea that art has the power to make a genuine difference.

“Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club is such an important part of Wellington life,” says NZ Art Show Executive Director Carla Russell.

“From the beach culture to the volunteers who give their time to keep people safe, there’s something incredibly special about what they represent. This project is about artists giving back to the community in a genuine and heartfelt way.

“At the NZ Art Show, we deeply understand the role art can play in people’s wellbeing and sense of connection. Art creates conversations. It can comfort, challenge, uplift, and bring communities together: and this collaboration is a beautiful example of that.”

The collaboration reflects the wider ethos of the NZ Art Show; that art has the power not only to inspire, but to create impact beyond gallery walls.

The work will be unveiled ahead of the Show, with bidding taking place online and during the event weekend. Open to bidders from far and wide via https://app.galabid.com/nzartshow, the work will also be exhibited at the NZ Art Show 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the piece in person.

Combining the distinctive styles of Ellie Compton and Clint C, Art is a Lifesaver is a rare and exceptional collaborative work: created with purpose, generosity, and heart.

The NZ Art Show takes place across King’s Birthday Weekend at TSB Arena and Shed 6 on Wellington Waterfront, bringing together more than 200 artists and thousands of original artworks from across Aotearoa.

About the NZ Art Show

The is one of Aotearoa’s longest-running and most significant contemporary art events, bringing together more than 200 artists and thousands of original artworks across Wellington’s waterfront each King’s Birthday Weekend. Held across TSB Arena and Shed 6, the Show has become a much-loved cultural fixture for both Wellingtonians and visitors from across New Zealand.

Since launching in 2004, the NZ Art Show has facilitated more than $23 million in art sales and helped support the careers of countless New Zealand artists — from emerging practitioners exhibiting for the first time through to established names now represented in dealer galleries both nationally and internationally. The Show is known for its accessible and welcoming approach, encouraging people from all backgrounds to engage with contemporary art in meaningful ways.

Alongside painting, sculpture, photography, jewellery, ceramics, and mixed media works, the 2026 Show features curated feature zones, emerging artist platforms, contemporary Māori voices, photography showcases, artist talks, immersive installations, and the iconic Gala Evening — widely regarded as one of Wellington’s signature cultural events.

http://artshow.co.nz/

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