6 March 2006
A work by Jos Coufreur
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The New Zealand Affordable Art Trust is calling on all established and budding artists to select their best and
brightest pieces for this year’s NZ Affordable Art Show to be held at the Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington 3 – 6
August.
New Zealand Affordable Art Trust (NZAAT) executive director Carla Russell said registrations opened for the third annual
show on 1 January and nearly 200 artists had already signed up to exhibit and sell their works. As a charitable trust we
have decided to keep the commission at a minimum of 15 % - this is a real draw card for all artists in differing stages
of their career. Last year over $420,000.00 was returned to the artists themselves.
A work by David Holland
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“The Trust is really thrilled at the early interest in the show, which just keeps going from strength to strength,” she
said.
“Last year we had total registrations of over a thousand artists, who exhibited and were able to sell up to five pieces
each. This year we’re expecting that, if not more.”
Six of the artists lined up for the August 3-6 show are well-known, established New Zealand artists from across the
country. Mostly painters, they are:
- David Holland
- Phil Dunn
- Jos Coufreur
- Lynette Murray
- Paul Hutchison and
- Dale Copeland (assemblage artist).
Ms Russell said having artists of this calibre registered and interested to exhibit proved the Affordable Art Show had a
valuable contribution to make to the market.
“It helps us demonstrate that art is for everyone, and not simply people who frequent art galleries and museum
exhibitions. It also means we can foster new talent that may otherwise not be recognised because it can be extremely
difficult to have work exhibited.”
In its short existence, the NZ Affordable Art Show has helped launch several careers both from New Zealand (north and
south island), and from abroad in the Chatham Islands. But all those hopeful photographers, painters and sculptors
wanting to be “discovered” need to register for the show before 1 May.
Ms Russell said last year over 1000 artworks sold in three days meaning there was ample reward for registering to
exhibit.
Registrations are open to all artists from across New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, regardless of experience.
The only prerequisite is that artworks are priced at under $5000 – however a selection process takes place ensuring that
affordable does not sacrifice quality.
ENDS