Luxury getaways, affordable art from the quirky to the collectible, Cuba Street treats, and tickets to live performance are among the 60 items up for grabs at the annual Awesome Arts Access Auction, to be held at Te Auaha NZ Institute of Creativity, Dixon St, Wellington on Wednesday 14 November.

Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa, says: “Everyone in New Zealand has the right to express themselves creatively, and be included as audience members and visitors to galleries and museums

“The auction is a great opportunity to have some fun, buy some Christmas presents, and also support the work we do to increase access to the arts for everyone in Wellington and the rest of the country.

“Individuals, businesses and arts organisations in the Cuba Quarter, Wellington and throughout New Zealand are always extremely generous and we’re grateful to everyone who donates items for us to auction.”

As in other years, the live auction will include the very popular luxury getaways to Auckland, Taupo, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch ¬– and this year, five nights in the luxurious Hilton Beach Resort and Spa in Denarau, Fiji.

Other live auction highlights:

• one year’s A Reserve subscription package for two to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s 2019 Podium Series “The Works”, plus a free concert programme and access to members’ lounge events
• a site visit and consultation on your residential property by leading Wellington company Melling Architects, followed by feasibility design sketches and associated advice
• the Velvet Blue Dowse Quilt and four funky cushions, created by the up-cycling, community sustainability sewing project, Vinnies Re Sew Kilbirnie and including panels created and signed by Deputy Mayor Jill Day and Councillor Brian Dobson.

Items in the silent auction include beauty treatments; fine dining; signed copies of a selection of books by Dame Fiona Kidman; and tickets to live performance.

One regular attendee of the annual event, Douceline Van Arts, describes the auction as “a not-to-be-missed excellent fundraiser for a great cause. A fun event, fantastic art to suit any budget and great networking opportunities.”
Another regular attendee, Thomas Bryan, says: “It’s a great way to support what Arts Access does, be part of a fun night, and mix and mingle.”
As for Robyn Hunt, she says: “There's always a sense of excited anticipation. What unique treasures will there be to discover and bid for this year?”

Along with a free first drink and canapés throughout the evening, there will be live jazz.

Auctioneer Grant Henderson of Bayleys Real Estate is volunteering his time and expertise to persuade the punters to increase their bids for a good cause.

If you are unable to attend the Awesome Arts Access Auction, you may wish to make a donation to support Arts Access Aotearoa.

The Awesome Arts Access Auction will be held in Te Auaha, Dixon St, Wellington on Wednesday 14 November. Buy your $20 tickets online or from Dawa Devereux (T: 04 802 4349 E: dawa.devereux@artsaccess.org.nz). Doors open at 5.45 pm and the event kicks off at 6pm.

© Scoop Media