Bay Art and YOUNG@ART exhibitions return this month
Bay Art is the Golden Bay Arts Council’s main event, and the council is extending a special invitation to artists who have not exhibited for a number of years to consider entering again.
Arts worker Lynne Udell says, “Of all the events we host, this is our most collaborative and favourite, heralding a sense of pride that such a small community has such a wealth of talent and support. What I particularly love is that the community claims it as their own, and therefore we are always needing to listen and respond to what they would like it to be.”
This year, in an effort to increase promotion of the event and the artists involved, the council has “stepped out” with its marketing. Given the upcoming general election, the council has attracted four politicians to judge the event: Chris Finlayson (Minister of Arts), Chris Auchinvole (National MP), Kevin Hague (Green MP), and Damien O’Conner (Labour MP) will be using their artistic aesthetics to critique Golden Bay’s diverse selection of artists. “All the politicians have expressed how they are looking forward to the opportunity,” says Lynne.
The YOUNG@ART exhibition is run in conjunction with Bay Art. Co-organiser Rita Scholten says: “It’s a great opportunity for young artists to enter the world of professional artists and express themselves.”
Feedback after last year’s inaugural event suggested that a larger space would allow the public to fully appreciate the work of the young artists. With that in mind, YOUNG@ART will be held this year in the Takaka Primary School hall. It is anticipated that there will be many more entrants this year.
The entry fee for youth is $5.00 per artwork. In keeping with the “growing into professional artists theme” a nominal 10 per cent commission will be levied upon the sale of a work of youth art.
This show will be judged differently and separately from the adult show, using two professional artists and a teenage artist who was a YOUNG@ART exhibitor last year. There will be no prizes but small tokens will be awarded.
The opening of YOUNG@ART will take place at the Takaka Primary Hall at 5pm on Friday 21 October and may include a fashion show. Following this, Bay Art will open at 6pm at Golden Bay High School. There will be an art-walk set up between the two buildings with signposts.
Both exhibitions run from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 30 October.
Entry forms are available at TDC, the library, The Wholemeal Cafe or Lollokiki.
Em Hofstede
