Building of world-class creative classroom supported

Friday 17 June 2011

Art collectors and 40 of New Zealand’s leading contemporary artists have donated over 60 works to help raise funds for a new Creative and Performing Arts Centre, currently under construction at Scots College in Miramar, Wellington. “The support from the New Zealand art community has been quite extraordinary,” said Headmaster Graeme Yule. “When I look at the list of names I’m astounded, and very humbled. There’s everyone from Dick Frizzell to Don Binney and Bill Hammond, Joanna Braithwaite, Michael Parekowhai, Shane Cotton, Séraphine Pick, the list just goes on.”

”When we first began planning this state-of-the-art, 3-storey building to house music, drama, film, animation, 3D printing and design at the college, we really were dreaming big,” he said.

Aloysius Teh, a parent at the school, arts patron and key driver behind this fundraising art auction said of the project: “The fact that so many high-profile creative individuals and their dealers have so generously lent their support by donating artworks, and shared our vision for what a creative education can and could be in the future, is very exciting. Every artist’s name will feature on a classroom wall, and forever be an integral part of the fabric of this building.”

”Sir Richard Taylor and members of the Weta Workshop team have also advised on the design and technical fit-out of this facility. It’s certainly a huge incentive to provide a world-class creative education when you’ve got an internationally-renowned film industry on your doorstep here in Miramar,“ reflected Yule.

”Our hope is that this new building will provide both our students, and the wider community, with a cutting-edge creative space in which to learn and excel both at home and internationally. Who knows what will be created within this building in the future – anything’s possible,” he said.

Aloysius Teh encourages all art lovers, enthusiasts and collectors to take a serious look at the catalogue of works featured in this auction. “It really is a rare thing to see such a fine line-up, and all proceeds go towards the building of what will become a creative incubator for the next generation of talented Kiwi artists here in Wellington.” Exhibition Preview All works will be on display at the City Gallery Wellington in Civic Square, from Saturday 2 July – Thursday 7 July, 10am -5.00pm.

Artworks can be viewed online here: http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/about/development/art-auction

Online Auction Buyers can also view and bid on the works at www.webbs.co.nz, from Tuesday 21 June onwards. Online bidding closes Thursday 7 July at 12pm midday.

Live Auction The auction will be held at City Gallery Wellington, and will commence at 7pm sharp on Thursday 7 July 2011.

Public Events : Sunday 3 July, 3-5pm Scots College Yr 13 Art History students have been studying some of the artworks featured in the auction, and will hold an informal information and discussion session for friends, family and the public, to come and learn more about some of the works featured in the exhibition. A member of the Scots College Pipe Band (piper) will play at the entrance to the gallery for 5 minutes prior to the commencement of each session (at 3pm and 4pm).

ENDS

© Scoop Media