For immediate release
NZ Art Show Exceeds Expectations & Sells over $1 million of Artworks
This year’s New Zealand Art Show exceeded its organiser’s expectations selling over $1 million of artworks in three
days, 29-31 July, on Wellington’s waterfront.
Carla Russell, the Show’s executive director is delighted; “More than 10,000 people visited the Show, many more than we
have had at any previous Show and 1,657 artworks were sold. That is a tremendous result, especially given the state of
the economy. We are very grateful to all those who made this year’s Show a resounding success; the artists who exhibited
their work, the volunteers, and all the staff who hang the works and help throughout the Show, the Friends of the Trust
and our Trustees, our sponsors and, most importantly, all the people who visited the Show this year.”
This year was the eighth year the Show, which was until 2010 known as the NZ Affordable Art Show, has been held.
While over $1,016,000 worth of artworks were sold this year, compared with $781,300 last year and a previous record of
$991,300 in 2009; the average price achieved this year was on par with last year $613.60 (2011) compared with $615.19
(2010).
“We went into this year’s Show with modest expectations and were hoping that we would at best do a little better than
last year. To have achieved these results is tremendous in that it secures the Show’s future and enables the NZ
Affordable Art Trust (NZAAT) to continue to support artists and the arts community.”
Auckland artist Belinda Griffiths won this year’s Winesale.co.nz Wine Label Award worth $10,000 and Kerikeri artist Ben
Timmins was the winner of the $5,000 Signature Piece Art Award which was decided by public vote during the Show.
All art exhibited at the Show must be original, produced by a New Zealander or New Zealand resident and for sale for
between $50 and $5,000. These criteria have remained unchanged since the Show’s inception in 2004.
The New Zealand Art Show is governed by the NZAAT whose vision is to: encourage New Zealanders to celebrate their
identity and culture by buying local art; promote and expose new, emerging and established New Zealand artists by
providing opportunities to further their development; and to promote the appreciation of New Zealand art and artists,
bringing this together in an iconic event – the New Zealand Art Show. Its aim is for every home and workplace to have an
original piece of New Zealand art.
“We see our role as championing New Zealand artists; making their art accessible and providing a means for talented and
creative artists to further their careers. This year we had 473 artists represented at the Show. With this year’s Show
behind us, we are now focussed on planning for the 2012 Show,” Carla Russell said.
ENDS