NZ Art Show 2013 - 3 Jazz Combos, 9 Art Students, 4 Maori Weavers & an Illuminart Gallery Add to this Year’s Experience
On the 26th July, the NZ Art Show celebrates its 10th birthday in the TSB Bank Arena on Wellington’s waterfront. Over
three days, visitors will be able to see some 3,000 artworks by 300 artists at what is now the largest curated art sale
of its kind in this country.
NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell promises a fresh and new aspect, “This year’s show is a real advance in
what’s gone before in terms of quality, the range and combination of media and the presentation of the artwork. It
promises to be our most exciting ever.
“It will also provide visitors with a wider range of experiences. For the first time we have Jazz combos performing over
the weekend, arts students from The Learning Connexion creating art in the Arena foyer, four traditional Maori weavers
demonstrating and displaying their art, and an Illuminart Gallery showcasing artworks using light.”
The intention is to provide a platform for artistic talent and the opportunity for the Show’s visitors to appreciate art
forms that they might not previously have experienced.
Three jazz combos from the Jazz school at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) will perform over the weekend as
part of ASB Art and All that Jazz. The three combos are all postgraduate ensembles, having gained their Bachelor’s degrees in Jazz performance. They are
accomplished musicians who will provide an entertaining and inspirational performance for the more than 10,000 people
expected to visit this year’s Show.
The Learning Connexion (TLC) has had a longstanding association with the NZ Art Show with many students and graduates exhibiting at the Show.
This year, nine students from TLC will again showcase their talents in the main foyer of the TSB arena with drawing,
painting and 3D demonstrations held over the duration of the show.
For the first time, the art of traditional Maori weaving will be at the NZ Art Show. Four artists who operate under the
name ‘Hutia Te Rito’: Elaine Bevan, Pip Devonshire, Tracey Patete and Heather McCaskill will demonstrate traditional
Maori weaving techniques and the fibres used in creating contemporary Maori artworks at the Show over the three days.
NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell says, “Hutia Te Rito will add an extra dimension to this year’s Show, in
that the group will be present demonstrating their techniques and exhibiting the art. Using traditional techniques and
materials, they create unique contemporary artworks that are exquisitely detailed and finished.”
Finally, another first at the Show will be a dedicated Illuminart Gallery within the Arena will exhibit artworks using light.
The NZ Art Show will take place in the TSB Bank Arena on Wellington’s waterfront over three days. The Show opens with a
Gala Evening on Thursday, 25 July, with open days from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 28 July 2013.
The Art Show is open to the public by general admission. The art displayed is constantly changing so there is always
something different to see. Tickets cost $10 each, concessions $7, with children 12 years and under free.
ENDS