Art exhibition for Hawke’s Bay arts community

Tauranga organisers of a local arts exhibition fundraiser to support the Hawke’s Bay arts community are stunned with the response from all over the North Island.

“The number of artists donating is staggering, well exceeding our expectations,” says The Incubator Director Simone Anderson.

“Not only from the Bay of Plenty but further afield including Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland and even artist victims of the flood themselves from Hawke’s Bay offering works to sell to collectively support others.

Hawke’s Bay artist John Gisborne lost his home, studio and livelihood as the floods and silt caused huge devastation through the Taradale Pottery Cub and Waiohiki Arts Centre.

The exhibition which opens at the People’s Gallery Toi ka rere on Friday March 17 will run until April 10.

Funds from artist sales will be distributed to grassroots arts communities and artists in Hawke’s Bay to help with replenishing their supplies and equipment and to help get them back on their feet to continue their creative mahi, says Simone.

“One week after invitations to donate were opened, the number of artists was 65 and counting.”

She says Hastings was the destination for their 2022 annual team field trip to explore other New Zealand Arts Hubs.

All money raised from the exhibition will be given directly to Hawke’s Bay Arts Collectives and the artists affected by the cyclone.

Artists can be viewed on the Incubator Fundraiser webpage. https://www.theincubator.co.nz/hawkes-bay-fundraiser-exhibition

The exhibition launches on Friday March 17 at 5.30pm in the People’s Gallery Toi ka rere. – Historic Village and will be open to the public until April 10.

Credit: sunlive.co.nz