Successful Dowse Auction
The Dowse Foundation’s recent art auction raised $120,000 towards next year’s redevelopment and expansion of The Dowse.
Foundation chair Bob Moffat said he was delighted with this result.
“The auction was a great success. It brought together an extraordinary range of very good works and raised more than we
anticipated.”
The variety of art work on offer ranged from affordable items of jewellery and glassware to major works, he said. The
top price of $20,000 was reached by a Brent Wong painting while buyers were also able to purchase pieces for less than
$100.
Mr Moffat said he would like to acknowledge the support of the more than 170 New Zealand artists who provided work for
the auction. Contributing artists received $108,000 as their share of the sales.
“The auction was a tribute to the late Galvan Macnamara, director during the 1980’s, who transformed The Dowse from a
small town art gallery to a museum of national significance.
“It is clear that many artists and collectors saw the auction as a opportunity to make a lasting tribute to his lifelong
commitment to creativity,” he said.