Media Release
13 November 2009
Elam, architecture and planning students combine talents in visual arts extravaganza
Final year students from The University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts, along with senior students from the
School of Architecture and Planning, are getting ready to showcase their best work of the year.
Elam Graduate Show 2009 (formerly Elam Open Days) is an annual, weekend-long contemporary art exhibition comprising the
work of more than 130 graduating students at Elam School of Fine Arts.
This year, visitors to the arts extravaganza will also have the chance to view works by senior students in the School of
Architecture and Planning. In addition to the end of year exhibitions, the inaugural “ArchPlan Show 2009” will feature a
series of short research presentations given by Master of Architecture students.
Traditionally, around 7,000 visitors attend the two-day Elam event, which draws prospective students, artists, curators,
collectors and the simply curious. This year, visitors will see multimedia works that range from photographs and
sculpture to painting, installation and sound projects.
“The annual Elam Graduate Show is a key date on the Auckland visual arts calendar and I am sure this year will be no
exception,” says Jenny Dixon, Dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI). “By showcasing the
work of our final year visual artists alongside that of our senior architecture and planning sῴudents, we shine the
spotlight on the excellence produced within and across our faculty.
Elam Graduate Show 2009 launches with a preview evening on Friday 20 November from 5:30-7:30pm at the Old Arts Quad
(Summer Shakespeare Lawn), located behind Elam B (5 Symonds Street).
The visual arts showcase continues from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, 21 and 22 November, at 20 Whitaker Place, 5
Symonds Street (Elam B) and The George Fraser Gallery (25A Princes Street).
ArchPlan Show 2009 will run over the same period. A series of short research presentations given by Masters of
Architecture students will run Saturday 21 November in the Design Theatre (22 Symonds Street).
Both events are free and open to the public. For information call (09) 373 7599 ext. 88000 or to download a map of the
venues visit www.creative.auckland.ac.nz
A show reel showing a selection of participating artists will be available from Friday 20 November at
www.creative.auckland.ac.nz
The University of Auckland’s National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries comprises the Elam School of Fine Arts,
School of Architecture and Planning, the Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery (CNZARD), the School of Music
and the Dance Studies Programme.
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