Aaron Potaka's acrylic on canvas work Wairarapa Racing Club Series (Field of Five) #5 is one of the works in the Flying Colours exhibition.
Aaron Potaka's acrylic on canvas work Wairarapa Racing Club Series (Field of Five) #5 is one of the works in the Flying Colours exhibition.
A Whanganui artists' collective is holding their end-of-year exhibition Flying Colours at Whanganui Arts Centre on Taupo Quay.
The Optiv101 Studio Artists present their personal bests for 2018 and group member Aaron Potaka said it was great fun hanging the works.
"They look great and it was exciting to seeeveryone's works for the first time.
"It is interesting to note that all the artists have gone for bright colours this year."
The annual exhibition for Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios recognises the studio artists and their work in the past 12 months, and one artist will be awarded the 2018 MVP (Most Valuable Player) Cup.
Contention for the cup, said Potaka, encourages artists to submit works for the Hall of Fame portraits exhibition in February, and the Rally 2018 exhibition in August.
The Celebrant - Acrylic on Canvas by Esther Topfer
"The emphasis on MVP exhibitions is for the individual artist to put forward their favourite works from the year."
The 43 pieces in the show are mostly new works created especially for the exhibition.
Contenders for the MVP cup are Neil Buddle, Sandra Brumby, Sean Hammond, Alice McDonald, Lindsay Marsh, Sebastian Pini, Aaron Potaka, Esther Topfer and 2017 cup holder Ewen Stratford.
"Ewen curated a smart-looking group exhibition mid-year and it has been a busy year for other members," said Potaka.
"Bernie Steyn is grappling with an illustrating commission of 30 prints, while Esther Topfer returned from her working sojourn to the United Kingdom a new clarity and drive.
"Sean Hammond and Zareena Stadnik debuted with the Optiv101 Hall of Fame in February and then crammed through their post-grad studies and Katie Hedgman-Dalton entered into the halls of academia with her first year into an arts degree programme, so will be on the bench for a while."
New member Sandra Brumby is making her debut in the Flying Colours and Potaka said the group look forward to seeing more of her work in 2019.
He said Optiv101 schedule three exhibitions each year and group members encourage each other in realising the theme of each exhibition, and the quality of production in their works.
Flying Colours: Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay. 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays until November 15.
