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Presidents Report Feb 2010 Newsletter
Congratulations to Fiona, her team and Sam Mahon and Andrew Craig on their summer exhibitions. As well as curating exhibitions, the staff manage an incredible permanent art collection that has accumulated over the last 100 years. The Friends work hard to support them in their vital role for South Canterbury. We are raising funds for the conservation of artwork in the collection and other items on the 2010 gallery wish list. We ran a successful raffle raising $600.00 in December 09 and are applying for grants. Presidents Report 2009 AGM President’s Report 3rd September 2009 AGM Arty our art car has been a great asset to the gallery this year. This is now the 5th year that Arty has been in action. He has had a touch up of paint and looks smart and interesting. As well as gallery staff taking arty to schools and parking him in front of the gallery, he has also been escorting students to the TGHS and Craighead balls. Arty came to stay at my home in March and although he was a bright attraction to the kids of Jackson St he was out in the cold winter weather. Recently Helen Bonica joined the committee and now has Arty tucked away in her garage. We have been very fortunate to have the continued support from two very skilled and hard working committee members; Angela our secretary and Dianne our treasurer. You are both so reliable and it has made my role so much easier! It’s been a breeze this year knowing that we are in good hands. We are truly are grateful for what you do.
Geoff Cloake has continued to take photographs at the gallery openings that the Friends support. The photos are displayed on our website to show off our opening nights and encourage new members. The photography is also displayed on our white ware installation – the Friends Fridge. This quirky project has received great feedback and is an original way to display membership brochures and entice the public to join our valuable organisation. The fridge recently had a make-over, you may like to look to see what crazy things lurk behind the fridge door!
Exhibition opening for Rua Pic and David Woodings. Geoff’s photography has also been used in various publications to promote the gallery. We are really lucky and grateful to have the openings captured by his lens. The Friends’ website continues to grow. The on-line resource has helped members and the public stay informed with the Friends projects and coming exhibitions. We now have a great gallery section to present exhibition photos. The website has also been useful to promote to students and has helped us promote Arty to school ball goers. To see this live in action visit our website: http://friends.aigantighe.org.nz
Above Roselyn Cloake presents the Friends’ Artarama! Excellence Award to Hannah Hamilton from Craighead Diocesan School. Artarama! is the festival of South Canterbury student art. The gallery walls transform into a wonderland of visual masterpieces by students aged 5 to 18 with around $2,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. This year the Friends sponsored a $50 prize and a free Friends membership. The winner was Hannah Hamilton - Craighead Diocesan. The exhibitions over the last year have greeted many of the locals and those who have travelled from afar. We have been very privileged to have seen stunning thought provoking shows. The Friends have worked towards echoing the international standard set by the gallery by:
We acknowledge the support and generosity from local companies who financially “came to the party”. These openings have been pulled off by a dedicated team. Thank you to the Friends committee and their helpers who work to put on a great evenings for our guests We have been recently working on a new pull up banner. Which I would like to unveil for you now. At one point it seemed impossible to come up with a smart statement that would encapsulate the meaning of the friends and the benefits we create. After a meeting I got a phone call from Angela and she said “Be inspired”. And she hit the nail on the head. As friends we aim to: motivate; stimulate; provoke; influence; and encourage. Ultimately this is inspiring and can be achieved on a visit to the Aigantighe. You know by being supporters of the gallery that there is more to be found here than paintings on the wall or sculptures in the garden. There is an x-factor here, a buzz when you walk through these rooms. There is a heart in this home. And it is the hard working gallery staff and network of supporters and volunteers that make the Aigantighe a destination. Here you can find children in costume on art hunts, students encouraged, celebrations and dancing at openings and discussion and emotions evoked. The art here is not just hanging on the walls of a gallery. The art here is for arts sake. To the Aigantighe Gallery staff; Fiona, Fran, Anita, Chris, Bruce, Zaiee and Cheryl your work is a great benefit to visitors and supporters. Thank you. To the Friends team; tonight we can celebrate a successful 2008/2009. I’m really proud of our committee and what we have achieved. We have a reputation for being a vibrant hands on group who offer support and practical help. I look forward to more openings and projects in the coming year Best wishes, Roselyn Cloake - President
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Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery,
PO Box 780, Timaru, New Zealand |
