Great Art, Great Causes

The Martinborough community is in fundraising mode again, this time with a contemporary art auction to be held in the Town Hall on Saturday the 30th of May (Queen’s Birthday weekend). All proceeds will be shared between the Medical Centre and the Town Hall project.

This auction will offer a catalogue of more than 50 works by some of New Zealand’s best known artists. Artists include Seraphine Pick, Gavin Hipkins, Max Patte, Fiona Pardington, Dick Frizzell, Gerda Leenards and Shane Cotton as well as locals Stephen Allwood, Vincent Ward (see image) and Jane Kellehan. There will be paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photographs.

The terrific response from these artists to requests for work for the show is a reflection of the special regard that Martinborough enjoys, says Cath de Groot, Chair of the art auction committee. “It is arguably the biggest and best collection of contemporary art ever shown in the South Wairarapa.”

Those attending will enjoy fine local wines and grazing platters designed by our very own Jo Crabb of Carême Cooking Classes.

Tickets for the event have sold out incredibly quickly and will contribute over $6000 to the two beneficiary charities – before a single piece of work has even been sold.

Mrs de Groot says the committee wants everybody to have a chance to see and enjoy the art collection while it is in Martinborough and are planning to open the collection for public viewing on the day of the auction. “We invite everyone to come along to the Town Hall any time between 10 am and 2.30 pm on the 30th of May to see a wonderful exhibition by some of New Zealand’s most celebrated artists and emerging talent.”

Entry is by gold coin, and this will be added to money raised by the auction.

The Ruamahanga Health Trust will use its share of the funds to upgrade the Medical Centre, in particular to build a covered ambulance bay. The Waihinga Trust will put their share towards the design and building costs of the soon to be refurbished Town Hall and its new modern wing that includes the Library, i-Site, Plunket and Toy Library.

So don’t miss this unique opportunity to see some great art and to be part of the amazing community spirit that allows Martinborough to really make things happen.

Contemporary Art Auction Public Viewing, Martinborough Town Hall, Saturday 30 May, 10 am – 2.30pm.
Entry by gold coin.
For further information email cath.degroot@gmail.com
Facebook: Martinborough Contemporary Art Auction

Supporter Profile: Penny Barnett
Penny Barnett, who lives on the Hinakura Road has been making women look stylish all her life, and has now opened a branch of her Designer Clothing Gallery in Greytown. She believes the many interesting shops and businesses in our 3 local towns can complement each other to give all visitors to the Wairarapa a fabulous experience.

She is thrilled that the old town hall will be saved and enhanced with a clever contemporary addition. Not only will history be maintained but a new community meeting space will be created for all those casual encounters that help give us a strong sense of belonging.

When she is not busy running her Wellington and Wairarapa businesses, Penny is a very active supporter of CATWALK. She was part of a CATWALK team that recently completed the New Plymouth Half Iron Man.

Thank you to our generous supporters
Stephen Allwood, Ata Rangi, Simon and Liz Beveridge, Richard Blundell, David and Winifred Bull, Tom and Di Bunny, Jane & Jack Cameron, Carême Cooking Classes, Jim Clark and Michael Honey, Paul and Rosie Collins, Cotter and Stevens Ltd, Wyatt & Danny Creech, Cresswell Family, Paul and Cherry Cutfield, Designer Clothing Gallery, John and Trish Donald, Draper Land Co Ltd, Doyle Family, Roger Gaskell and Julie-Claire Baxter, Gawith Burridge, Matthew Gloag and Kate Patterson, Peter and Ruth Graham, Catherine and Marco de Groot, Ro and Lyle Griffiths, Mark Hadlow, Gerald Hensley, David Kernohan, Michael Lamont and Bev O’Keefe, Jane & Victor Lenting, Robin Lockie, Tim and Leslie Lusk, Madcaps, John and Di Martin, Tim Martin and Victoria Read, The Martinborough Star, Martinborough Community Board, Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park, Martinborough Town Hall Centenary Ball Committee, Helen and Ben Masters, Andy and Bridg Mathewson, McDougall Family, Ewen McQueen, Helen and John Meehan, Maria Mudford & Steve McCabe, Murdoch James, Pain Estate, Pain and Kershaw Ltd, Palliser Estate, Patuna Farm, Perception Planning, Pirinoa Station, Poppies Martinborough, Plunket, Pukeatua Station, Pukemanu Adventure Ride, Pure Martinborough, Esther Read, SW Rotary, Richard Riddiford, A J Rigby, Riversdale Station, SGL Group, Hamish & Sue Sims, Mary Smith and Family, SWDC, Max and Liz Stevens Family, Mike Tayles, Connie Taylor, Sir Somerfield and Leonie Teagle, Graeme Thomson and Chris Cassels, Thunderpants Ltd, Tokoroa Farm Ltd, The Tora Coastal Walk, Trust House, Turanganui Ltd, The Village Café, Gary Wall, Felicity and Arthur Warren, Weatherstone Family Rotopai Farms, Pam and Garry Wells, Wood Family Paharakeke??Plus we have a number of anonymous supporters – so thanks to them too!