MARIA PRIESTLEY
Works by Hawke's Bay's newest, and oldest, artists will go on sale this weekend, in Woodford House's Great Art Sale.
Running from Friday to Sunday, the 300 works exhibited include paintings and sculpture by Woodford House pupils, emerging artists and well-known local artists including Ricks Terstappen, Dick Frizell and
Kate MacKenzie.
Organiser Charlotte Glazebrook, who took on the massive job of sorting and labelling the art, said the idea of the sale was to get the community involved in an event that would introduce people to the school and give lesser-known artists some exposure.
"Starting out, new artists often get turned down by galleries and struggle to find a place to hang their work," she said.
"This is a chance for them to get their work shown and for everyone to see what new local talent is out there."
Initially the idea for the sale failed to generate interest but gradually (mainly by word of mouth) word spread and Charlotte and the parents' association were bombarded with calls by artists - and hundreds of pieces of art.
"Most are from people who have got art in their homes who didn't want that particular piece anymore or they've moved house and their new house is too small to fit all their art - and the art's too good to give away and they'd like some money back on it."
"We're making art accessible to everyone - even young people flatting for the first time."
The art, which ranges in price from $20 to $5000, includes "some amazing work" by pupils at Woodford House, Charlotte said.
Other well-known local artists' works exhibited include Esther Smith, Julia Godfrey, Linda Bruce, Jules Clarke, Terrence McKenna and Angus Watson.
Havelock North artist Kate MacKenzie is exhibiting her acrylic painting A New Seed.
The painting, which follow's Kate's signature surrealist style, is Hawke's Bay-inspired including hills and a vineyard - and a white picket fence.
"It's about changing direction in life. My family and I have just shifted and it's a big change for us," MacKenzie said.
The painting reflects that - it's about going in a new direction, making decisions. It's all very positive."
