New sponsor, new chapter for Whanganui Arts Review

Wellington consultancy pattillo is sponsoring a new chapter in the life of the prestigious Whanganui Arts Review, the longest running Arts Review in New Zealand.

Run by Whanganui’s acclaimed Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua, the Arts Review this year celebrated 30 years of giving exposure and increased profile to artists in the Whanganui region.

pattillo director Anne Pattillo says the decision to sponsor the Arts Review for the next five years will enable the Sarjeant to offer a much-enhanced version of the event from 2019 onwards.

“For the first time, the winner of the major Arts Review prize, the Open Award, will not only receive the cash prize of $5000, but also the opportunity to be the first recipient of the ‘pattillo project’ - a solo artist showcase exhibition at the Sarjeant the following year.”
The Open Award winner will also receive a year of mentoring and support from the Sarjeant’s curatorial team to help them develop their ‘pattillo project’ exhibition.

“pattillo is interested in both new and emerging artists, furthering the careers of more established artists, as well as mid-career and senior artists,” says Anne Pattillo.

In 2019 the Whanganui Arts Review Open Award will be greatly enhanced by the addition of this new initiative, known as the pattillo project. It is specifically designed by Sarjeant Gallery curators in collaboration with pattillo to elevate and celebrate Whanganui Arts Review artists.

Anne Pattillo says pattillo has a long standing relationship with the Sarjeant Gallery, having contributed to the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project which will commence in 2019. The $34.9 million project will see the original Sarjeant Gallery at Pukenamu Queen's Park earthquake strengthened, restored and redeveloped.

“pattillo supports the Sarjeant because we see arts and creative endeavours as crucial skills and capabilities for the future. We like that the Sarjeant is an iconic art gallery in New Zealand, and we love the fact it is located in one of New Zealand’s smaller towns and communities. After all Whanganui as a community has a rich history of nurturing creativity and innovation,” she says.

“It’s about community, and backing people to be successful no matter where they live. pattillo is excited about adding new life to the next chapter of the Whanganui Arts Review. We are excited to be stretching the value of the Review for artists, Whanganui and New Zealand.”

Sarjeant Gallery director Greg Anderson says the contribution from pattillo is a real boost to the Arts Review and the gallery is looking forward to a successful partnership.

“As 2019 is the Sarjeant Gallery’s centenary year it is a wonderful moment to increase the value and the vision of the Whanganui Art Review with pattillo and launch what we feel will be a very exciting new initiative for artists - the pattillo project.”

The 2019 pattillo Whanganui Arts Review will run from March 8 – May 12, 2019, with submissions taken at Sarjeant on the Quay on Tuesday February 26. For conditions of entry and entry form please go to: http://www.sarjeant.org.nz/arts-review/.

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