Aratoi is calling for donations of artwork to help with an auction designed to boost the gallery's art collection.
Tomorrow is the final day for the works to be donated, with all pieces to be auctioned by the Aratoi Foundation to raise funds to buy new works for the Masterton
gallery. Pieces have already been gifted, including pieces by JE Kelly, Stanley Palmer, and a print by Martinborough artist Matt Guild. The works will then be available for viewing in the Wesley Room from Tuesday, with the auction held on Friday, August 26.
Aratoi director Marcus Boroughs said the fundraiser was a key event for the centre, as it depended on outside assistance to add to its collection.
"We don't have a lot of money for buying artwork, so this really helps with that," Mr Boroughs said. Included on the auction night will be a talk by historian Ian St George on nineteenth century renaissance man, William Colenso, a man who was - among other things - an explorer, missionary, politician, botanist, philosopher, humanitarian and artist.
Born in 1811, this year is Colenso's bicentenary, and Dr St George will introduce him, briefly touch on some of his Wairarapa experiences, and will look critically at some of the artworks attributed to Colenso.
