Tararua art exhibition draws Czech Consul-General from Sydney

Grandmother Kathryn Benbow, left, photographer Eva Smyth, 12, grandfather Allan Benbow and mother Nicola Smyth.

With 21 works of art sold on the opening night of the Tararua District Lindauer Art Exhibition, organisers are confident the event will be a resounding success.

A record 200 entries are featured in the exhibition this year with some artists missing out, Friends of Lindauer member Kevin McIntyre said.

"It's been tough turning artists away. We've so many more exhibitors than last year we had to build five new stands and we've art on walls we hadn't used previously," he said.

"We'd even sold three paintings to a Hawke's Bay buyer who came in on Tuesday while we were still putting the exhibition together."

This is the third Tararua Lindauer exhibition held at the Woodville Racecourse and it gets bigger and better every year, Robin Pretty, of Woodville Districts Vision, said.

"Friends of Lindauer do everything we can do to promote Lindauer and our town and district," she said.

Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis said Lindauer artist-in-residence Jana Hylmarova has captured the hearts of the community.

"Her mixed media work on display here is very emotive and truly stunning," she said.

"I would buy it in a heartbeat if it didn't have to return to Pilsen University with her. How wonderful it is that someone from so far way can capture the feel of our community. Jana, you have sealed (the future) of this programme forever.

"Many hours of dedication, passion and sheer hard work have gone into this exhibition and the Friends have done an outstanding job.

"Growing up with artists, there is nothing more rewarding than sharing your talent, passion and vision on life with others and artists throughout the Tararua have been given the opportunity to shine."

Jana, speaking in Czech and English to the large crowd at the exhibition opening, said it had been a wonderful opportunity to come to Woodville as a Lindauer artist-in-residence.

"You have a great community," she said.

Along with Jana's parents, Iveta Hylmarová and Jan Hylmar, the other special guest was the Czech Consul-General, Hana Flanderova, from Sydney.

"The Czech Republic is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding, so what more special connection (with Woodville) than that with the Godfried Lindauer," she said. "I truly hope this is not my last visit."

* More photos and coverage in Saturday's Dannevirke News