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From: Jan McCarthy – CCC Communication Team

MEDIA RELEASE November 2006
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Annual Art Event fundraiser

Cantabrians will have the chance to buy art by some of New Zealand’s leading artists for just $600 at Christchurch’s annual Art Event on Friday, 24 November.

The Art Event is an annual fundraiser by the Friends of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu to support a special Gallery art project.

Works began arriving this week from throughout the country for what organiser Marianne Hargreaves says is one of the most popular art events in Christchurch because it provides art enthusiasts with the opportunity to collect unique pieces from some of New Zealand’s leading artists.

This year 28 established and emerging New Zealand artists have created a variety of works specifically for the Art Event. Twenty-three will be sold by blind auction, at a fixed price of $600, and five additional works will be auctioned at the end of the night.

Marianne Hargreaves says artists who have provided work for the fixed-price auction of $600 include Raewyn Atkinson, Jason Greig, Paul Deans, Sheyne Tuffery, Sue Upritchard, Kate Wells, Matthew Couper, Mark Lander, Areta Wilkinson, Jane Zusters and Neil Pardington.

“The evening’s finale will be an auction of works by Don Binney, Hannah Kidd, Tim Main, Lyndsay Patterson and Maryrose Crook.”

She says the Art Event, which begins at 7pm, is one of the most glamorous and exciting events on the Gallery’s calendar.

The works will be displayed for public viewing on the Gallery Balcony during the day of the Art Event.

Fundraising activity from previous events has enabled the Friends to donate $80,000 towards the Gallery’s Oriel Window, unveiled to celebrate the Gallery’s first anniversary in 2004.

Tickets to the Art Event are $50 and available from Christchurch Art Gallery or email friends@ccc.govt.nz

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