Art Auction - 13/14 Aug, 21
By Helinor Stead
There’s a whakataukī - a Māori proverb that says, He rau ringa, e oti ai — with many hands the job will be done and the upcoming Tairua For Mental Health Art Auction is a case in point.
On July 8 this year Mike King made a moving post on instagram letting us know his May 28 Gumboot Friday event had raised $943,000 + change, falling tens of thousand of dollars short of his target. In Mike’s own words, ‘…while some people may think that’s a good effort, actually that’s really disappointing… In three months time that money is going to be gone.’
Thus inspiring a group of Tairua locals who have banded together to bring you the Tairua For Mental Health Art Auction this coming weekend. Held at the Town Hall with artworks generously donated from 40+ artists including Kate Hill, Paula McNeill, Souzie Speerstra, Susan Dunster, Cathy Pope, Viv Cory-Wright and Dick Frizzell and a whole host of artists from around the Peninsula there is sure to be something for everyone.
And so, you are invited to join the Gumboot Army and support the Art Auction this weekend.
Artist Jody Hope Gibbons (example of artwork to be auctioned only)
Artworks will be open for viewing at the Tairua Community Hall, Friday 13th Aug, 10am - 5pm & Saturday 14th Aug, 10am - 3pm with the auction starting at 3pm on Saturday. There will be a silent auction held on various pieces whilst others will go under the hammer. Once you have confirmed purchase with a screenshot of your bank transfer you’ll be free to take your new piece of art home!
This is truly a local event with generous support from many businesses in the area. Andrea Johnson of Manaia Kitchen & Bar, Margaret & Hamish McKegg, Ruth Pettitt and a secret donor will provide light refreshments to start the auction, Murray McDonald will be the auctioneer, an enormous wreath has been created by Ruth Pettitt & Lizzie Harsant of Wildflowers Coromandel, Jane Land of Land & Forage is lending her event expertise, all design work and social media has been managed by Petra and Garth Powell of Soak Studio, gift vouchers supplied by Flock Kitchen and Bar and the Little Gallery Tairua, and posters and fliers will be whipped up by Tairua Print and Richardson’s Real Estate in Hahei.
Artist Souzie Speerstra (example of artwork to be auctioned only)
In the Coromandel, the beautiful whakataukī above rings true.
Gumboot Friday is a charity that funds private care and counselling for young people in distress under 25 years old. As Mike says, ‘Don’t sit there on the sidelines, I need you jumping in the trenches with me… get involved and get in behind Gumboot Friday and support our kids.’
Petra & Garth Powell of Soak Studio
Thank you to the following artists for participating -
@jodyhopegibbons, @sallysaminsart, @paulamcneill2699, @hayleyhamilton_create, @julie_whyman_art, @joanne.m.mahoney, @dunster.susan, @souziespeerstraart, @cathypopejewellery, @houlbrookepowell, @dickfrizzell
We’ll see you there!
Artist Julie Whyman (example of artwork to be auctioned only)