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Organisers of the annual Great Summer Art Exhibition, held at Snells Beach from December 30 to January 2, have wrapped up one of the most well-attended events in the exhibition’s 31-year history.
Proceeds from the art show benefit the Mahurangi East Tennis Club.
Normally, the exhibition is held at the Mahurangi East Community Centre, but due to the current renovations, it moved to the space next to the new Four Square.
Tennis club president Maureen Bernie says the new venue made all the difference.
“Being next door to the Four Square definitely impacted foot traffic, with around 700 people through the doors every day,” Bernie said. “We are very appreciative of landlord Denis Horner’s generosity and Four Square owner David Whyman’s support by offering discounted coffee for exhibition visitors.”
A total of 338 artworks by 126 artists were displayed, and there were 30 cash and carry tables. An estimated 2300 visitors attended over the three days, including 150 on the opening night.
Judges Elena Nikolaeva and Christine den Hartogh, from Mangawhai Artists Inc, described the standard of artwork as very high overall.
Bernie said that cash and carry sales and door donations were all higher than last year and 53 per cent of exhibitors sold something during the exhibition.
Snells Beach artist Jonathan Bourla won the Established Section, sponsored by Chemwash Rodney, with his picture Honour Guard. Mangawhai’s Jocelyn Friis was second. Whangaparaoa artist Cherry Wright won the Intermediate Section, sponsored by Withers & Co, and Finn Stevenson, of Warkworth, won the Emerging Section, sponsored by Summerset Retirement Village.
Shanti Marrow and Hayley Miller won the Mahurangi College Student Awards, sponsored by Snells Beach Superette.
The judges presented Encouragement Awards to Richard Pound, of Snells Beach, and Val Hunter, of Whangaparaoa. Along with winning the Encouragement Award, Pound also sold two of his four exhibited works.
In a change from previous years, there was no separate photography category, so photography entries were included in all categories.
“The result was very successful with quite a different artistic style presented as photographic art,” Bernie said.
For the third year in a row, Shanna Olivier won the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by John Allen Law.
Bernie said the community support for the annual event was always very rewarding for the large group of tennis club volunteers who pulled it all together.
“There were lots of positive comments about the change of venue, the quality and variety of artworks, and for the continued efforts of the tennis club to support the art community. Many thanks to the judges, sponsors, volunteers and all the artists and visitors.”
The exhibition will return to the community hall at the end of this year.
