NZAAT Call for Artist Registrations

6 March 2006

The New Zealand Affordable Art Trust is calling on all established and budding artists to select their best and brightest pieces for this year’s NZ Affordable Art Show to be held at the Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington 3 – 6 August.

New Zealand Affordable Art Trust (NZAAT) executive director Carla Russell said registrations opened for the third annual show on 1 January and nearly 200 artists had already signed up to exhibit and sell their works. As a charitable trust we have decided to keep the commission at a minimum of 15 % - this is a real draw card for all artists in differing stages of their career. Last year over $420,000.00 was returned to the artists themselves.

“The Trust is really thrilled at the early interest in the show, which just keeps going from strength to strength,” she said.

“Last year we had total registrations of over a thousand artists, who exhibited and were able to sell up to five pieces each. This year we’re expecting that, if not more.”

Six of the artists lined up for the August 3-6 show are well-known, established New Zealand artists from across the country. Mostly painters, they are:

- David Holland
- Phil Dunn
- Jos Coufreur
- Lynette Murray
- Paul Hutchison and
- Dale Copeland (assemblage artist).

Ms Russell said having artists of this calibre registered and interested to exhibit proved the Affordable Art Show had a valuable contribution to make to the market.

“It helps us demonstrate that art is for everyone, and not simply people who frequent art galleries and museum exhibitions. It also means we can foster new talent that may otherwise not be recognised because it can be extremely difficult to have work exhibited.”

In its short existence, the NZ Affordable Art Show has helped launch several careers both from New Zealand (north and south island), and from abroad in the Chatham Islands. But all those hopeful photographers, painters and sculptors wanting to be “discovered” need to register for the show before 1 May.

Ms Russell said last year over 1000 artworks sold in three days meaning there was ample reward for registering to exhibit.

Registrations are open to all artists from across New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, regardless of experience. The only prerequisite is that artworks are priced at under $5000 – however a selection process takes place ensuring that affordable does not sacrifice quality.

ENDS

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