Tears flow at Switzer's art exhibition

Switzer Home resident Helen Mann, at 92 the oldest contributor to the art exhibition that opened on Friday. Behind her is one of her oil paintings from c1971, when she was living in Whitianga.

There was standing room only at Friday's opening of an art exhibition at Switzer Residential Care in Kaitaia.

Residents, staff and guests including Kaitaia College students a contributed to the exhibition, ranging from oil paintings to knitting, 'fairy doors' and embroidery, some finding it an emotional experience.

Staff member Dawn Anderson shed a tear as she read a poem she wrote in tribute to her late son, as did the oldest exhibitor, 92-year-old Helen Mann, when she saw two of her paintings, from early in her career in the Coromandel (c 1971) on display.

Most of the work was not for sale, and never likely to be, but three items went under auctioneer Gary Steed's hammer while artist Christian Nicholson displayed a number of his paintings, with the home receiving a 30 per cent commission on every sale.

Guests enjoyed finger food and Eric and Sandra Shackleton's Waitapu wines as they viewed the exhibition, officially opened by Mayor John Carter, who said Kaitaia was blessed to have Switzer in the community - almost making up for referring to the residents as inmates.

He later assisted Mr Steed to sell the second lot, which attracted an opening bid of $100 and eventually $105. The buyer, who declined Mr Carter's invitation to go higher without an opposing bidder, said she only put her hand up because she felt sorry for him.

The exhibition will be open to the public daily, 10am to noon, 1pm to 4pm, daily until and including Sunday.

Attractions include afternoon Devonshire teas and the opportunity to buy Switzer pickles and jams, and a collection of resident Barbara Sobey's reminiscences of her childhood in England.