Memorial exhibition to honour the late Peter Reynolds

Mike Steiner with some of the artworks in the Peter Reynolds Memorial Exhibition. Photo/Stephen Parker

It's been three-and-a-half years since Rotorua personality Peter Reynolds died.

Hours before the interior designer and decorator's death, his close friend and colleague Mike Steiner told him what he would like to do as a memorial.

"We were helping him to pack up his studio and I told him I would love to continue his annual art exhibition," Steiner said. "And to run it as a charitable event with all proceeds to go to the Rotorua Community Hospice."

Steiner said the hospice had treated his friend with great care and dignity in the months leading up to his death and that he had great admiration for the organisation.

"Peter was blown away and ecstatic with the idea something he had been running for 20-odd years would be continued in his name.

"His annual exhibition was not only an opportunity for friends and colleagues to come together, it was also a fantastic platform to showcase work by established artists and also introduce emerging artists."

Steiner said many works of art had been sold during the two decades of the exhibition.

"It was an event people looked forward to, not just for the art but also to catch up with friends from throughout the Bay of Plenty and further afield. We have so many traditional exhibition clients who have indicated they will be coming which is very exciting."

The Peter Reynolds Memorial Exhibition 2017 gala evening will take place tonight between 6pm and 8pm at the refurbished RSA building in Haupapa St.

Steiner said other commitments had prevented the exhibition being held before this year.

"We have fabulous artworks to show by some familiar and some not-so-familiar artists. All are happy to have their commissions donated to Hospice.

"I hope Peter will be looking down on us and smiling."

Tickets to the gala evening are $20 which includes refreshments and can be bought at Steiner's. The exhibition will be open to the public this weekend.

"We hope, one day, we can keep the exhibition permanently open like Peter did."