Record Turnout for Art Auction

Record Turnout for Art Auction

The annual auction for the Paterson Burn Optometrists Excellence in Art competition begins today, with a record turnout of 73 artworks going under the virtual hammer.

From 13 April to 3 May, works by student artists will go under the virtual hammer, to raise money for school communities and Diabetes New Zealand as part of the annual competition which was started by the independent optometrists in Hamilton in 2013, and has grown to encompass the wider Waikato region as well as Auckland and the Coromandel.

Competition organiser, Narelle Waite, says this is the biggest year yet for the competition, with the most number of entries received to date, and credits school support as a major factor, “Schools are really supportive of the competition, with many integrating it into their NCEA curriculum. We’ve received 27 entries from Morrinsville College alone, and a record turnout of schools from Auckland participating this year.”

Competition Judge Dr. Carole Shepheard says that, for many of the participants, this will be the first time that they are publicly exhibiting and auctioning their works, “this event shows the high standard achieved by these young artists and hopefully they, and their buyers will recognise the potential of a viable future in the visual arts.”

The theme for 2016 is An Eye to the Future, and artists works reflect their interpretation of the theme.

For some, like Charlie Mackintosh from Matamata College, this has to do with the development of eye-related technology, “my work is inspired by the revolutionary advances and incredible potential in the field…to improve the quality of life for those suffering from partial or total loss of sight.”

Meanwhile, Georgia Cantlon of Epsom Girls Grammar takes a more abstract approach, “my work is inspired by chaos, in a simple, beautiful form."

Paterson Burn Optometrists CEO Darren Savage is delighted by the record turnout and hopes for wider community participation in the auction this year, “the art created by these students will not only benefit their own school communities, but also generate support for a disease that is closely linked with eye health.”

This is the third year that Diabetes NZ Waikato has been a recipient of the auction proceeds, and Branch President Murray Dear says the relationship with the awards is an important one, “it is important to start talking about diabetes eye health early, and through the awards, the students and Paterson Burn put this issue into the public consciousness through their support of our organisation."

The artworks can be bid on here: www.patersonburn.co.nz/artwork

Participating schools: Baradene College, Epsom Girls Grammar School, Fraser High School, Hamilton Christian School, Hillcrest High School, Matamata College,Mercury Bay Area School, Morrinsville College, Mount Albert Grammar School, Mount Roskill Grammar School, St Paul’s Collegiate School, Te Aroha College, Waikato Diocesan School,

Key dates:

Art auction opens online 13 April
Art auction closes 3 May
Artworks exhibited in Paterson Burn practices until 26 April
Arworks exhibited at Creative Waikato 26 April-6 May
Winners announced at Creative Waikato, 5 May

Ends

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