Meridian Wind Sculpture Walkway wins art award

Meridian Wind Sculpture Walkway wins art award

For immediate release: Friday 26 November 2010

Meridian has won a National Business Review (NBR) Sponsorship of the Arts award for the Meridian Wind Sculpture Walkway.

The five sculptures in the series are a striking collection of wind powered works designed by a variety of New Zealand artists along Cobham Drive, near Wellington airport.

The annual awards recognise successful sponsorship partnerships between business and the arts in New Zealand.

The wind sculpture series is a joint 10 year partnership between Meridian, Wellington City Council and the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

Meridian sponsorship specialist Tracey Wemyss says Meridian is delighted with the award. “This is a celebration of a sculpture series that embraces the power of Wellington’s wind as a creative force as well as a source of clean renewable energy. It also acknowledges the excellent partnership between Meridian, the Council and the Trust.”

Wellington Sculpture Trust Chairman Neil Plimmer says the award is great recognition of a marvellous, 10 year partnership between Meridian and the Trust. “We have been able to select and install, with Meridian’s on-going financial help, five large, stunning sculptures, which will have a lasting effect on Wellington’s landscape and art reputation. The five celebrate Wellington’s wind, the potential of renewable energy, and the creativity and engineering skills of New Zealand’s best artists.”

City Council Arts and Portfolio Leader Ray Ahipene-Mercer says the Council is proud to have been involved in the project from its inception. “The series has created a unique experience both for the people of Wellington and visitors to our region and celebrate the fact that we live in a city where the natural elements impact strongly on our daily lives.”

The Council now owns and maintains the art works.

Other winners of the NBR Sponsorship of the Arts Awards are Auckland’s Wallace Arts Trust for supporting the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, NZ Post for its sponsorship of the Wellington International Arts Festival and Pacific Blue for supporting the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

For more information on the NBR Sponsorship of the Arts Awards, visit http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nbr-sponsorship-arts-awards-2010-133766

ENDS

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