Fears of wet weather deterring crowds were quickly put to rest with support from the College community creating a constant stream of visitors eager to look at not only the professional art work exhibited but also the student art and product design projects on display.
Now in its 14th year, the annual Art Sale, proudly supported by Gold Sponsor Auckland City BMW is the Friends Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year with all net proceeds donated to the College. Led again by Sara Weatherall, a team of more than 50 volunteers and staff put in countless hours ensuring the event would be the best Art Sale yet.
“All the hard work proved worthwhile and Art Sale 2017 was an absolute blast,” says Sara. “Great art, great people – the whole team feels very proud of the event.”
With 99 new artists from last year, as well as 69 student art and technology pieces on display, there was a great mix of variety and something for everyone.
Selling a large proportion of the 1448 pieces on display, the Art Sale sold over $400,000 worth of art this year.
The excitement began with the Opening Night Cocktail Party on Friday 3 November where student bands the Late Night Jazz and the Burtones provided the musical entertainment for evening. Master of Ceremonies Hamish McKay led the proceedings from there on, with Liz Barnett speaking on behalf of the Friends Association as their President.
Artwork from Old Collegian Peter Hackett (1974-1978, St John’s) was once again a hot hit, with his Solar piece attracting a constant crowd.
Auckland City BMW and Student Art Prizes
For the sixth consecutive year, our Houses competed in the Auckland City BMW Bonnet competition. The judges Ian and Joanne Gibson from Auckland City BMW, Rosemary Theunissen and Malcom McAllister from Otahuhu College and our very own David Parr, Head of E-learning, had their work cut out for them with some excellent entries to judge.
School House was awarded first place and Middlemore second.
The bonnets were on display at the front entrance to the Art Sale, giving everyone the chance to bid on a bonnet or admire the work of each House.
In the student art category, it was Tim Howe (Year 13, Averill) who won the Technology award with his Stotte Stools and Max Doughty (Year 13 Selwyn) who took runner up with Upcycle, a metal lamp constructed from car parts.
For the Pauline Mellow Visual Art Award, Sam Grenfell (Year 12, Greenbank) won the top prize with his Venice Beach photo and Gabriel Buckland (Year 11, Major) was runner up with his Etching piece.
The Friends Photography prize was awarded to Emily King (Year 12, Taylor).
New additions to the Art Sale Weekend
This year the Art Box was open all weekend- a new initiative that allowed people to purchase and take home then and there a selection of jewelry, ceramics, small art works and prints. Also open the entire weekend was the Art Sale Café. Serving great coffee and delicious food, the Café hosted a special Grandparents High Tea on Saturday afternoon.
Thank you from the College
The College and the Friends Association would like to say a heartfelt thank you for those that gave up their time to support this fundraiser, and those of our community that joined us over the weekend to celebrate the Art Sale.
