Artworks At The Hilton – The Art Event Of The Year

Artworks At The Hilton – The Art Event Of The Year

Auckland - Art lovers will be happy to hear that following the success of last years event, Artworks is back and bigger than ever, with close to $2 million worth of art by New Zealand’s leading artists confirmed for display and available to purchase from the 28th – 30th August 2003 at the Hilton Hotel.

Frances Hodgkins piece

Organised by the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise, the three day event celebrates both established and emerging New Zealand art and artists with this year’s inaugural Mazda Emerging Art Awards a highlight of the three day event. Total monies raised from the event will go to Variety – the Children’s Charity, the Gifted Children’s Programme, the Spirit of Adventure Trust, the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and the Liggins Institute.

Peter Aitken, managing director of Mazda New Zealand Ltd, major sponsor of ArtWorks 2003 is delighted that following the success of last year’s event, ArtWorks returns as an annual event celebrating the vision and creativity of New Zealand’s artists.

Ivan Clarke piece

“ArtWorks provides a platform for established artists to exhibit their latest work, an opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their talent and for the public the three day event is a chance to view and purchase some of the country’s leading art at one venue,” said Mr Aitken.”

Other highlights of the three day event include the official ArtWorks opening function on the evening of the 28th August and the ArtWorks black tie gala dinner on the 29th August.

ArtWorks Official Opening, 28th August

Dame Cath Tizard will officially open ArtWorks 2003 at 7.00 pm on 28th August, followed by the sale of 400 art pieces by major New Zealand artists together with more than 100 pieces of art from graduate students of New Zealand’s leading art schools, entrants in the Mazda Emerging Art Awards.

The opening function will include a public auction of selected art pieces at 9.00 pm including a painting by the famed New Zealand artist, Frances Hodgkins. Further significant art up for auction includes pieces by Bill Hammond, Randall Froude, Ivan Clarke, Jennifer Cruden, Norm Sinclair, Des Robertshaw, Dean Buchanan and John Drawbridge. More …1/2

Live artists at work will include Natalie Tate O’Callaghan, John Horner and Gordon Howard . Guests to the official opening will also see the first public display of the all new Mazda RX-8, which epitomises stylish sports car design, form and function.

Tickets for the opening of ArtWorks on the 28th August are $40 per person, and include wine and cocktail food. Phone 09 520 4111 for tickets.

The ArtWorks Black Tie Gala Dinner, 29th August

Some of New Zealand’s best known artists are among those weighing in behind the effort to raise money for charity at the ArtWorks Black Tie Gala Dinner on the 29th August.

Dame Silvia Cartwright will be the guest of honour at the gala dinner, and the Liggins Institute will be the sole beneficiary. Some of New Zealand’s major artists have donated work for which dinner guests will have the opportunity to bid during the evening. Among these are a framed limited edition print by Gretchen Albrecht, a Peggy Spicer print and a photograph by Marti Friedlander. In addition guests have the opportunity to discover the next McCahon or Goldie by bidding for one of the three winning paintings from the Mazda Emerging Art Awards – a competition for up and coming artists from New Zealand’s leading art schools.

As well as works of art, travel and accommodation packages will go under the auctioneer’s hammer, including a return trip for two to Melbourne staying at the 5-Star Hilton, a weekend leisure package at the Hilton Auckland or for those wanting to embrace their spirit of adventure – the opportunity to have full use of the “Spirit of New Zealand” for a day’s sailing.

The evening will feature guest speaker Professor John Funder, one of Australia’s most distinguished medical scientists and most entertaining characters.

Tickets for the evening are $250 per person, including a four course gourmet meal and fine New Zealand wines. Contact 09 520 4111 for tickets.

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