Art exhibition and auction a success

STRONG BIDDING: Artwork goes under the hammer at the Mangawhai auction where sales and donations topped $16,000.

The Mangawhai Art Exhibition and Auction was a great success with 75 works donated by artists from as far afield as the Kaipara. 

Hundreds of people visited the exhibition over the course of the two weeks it was held at the new museum. During this time many bids were placed through silent auction on artworks which included paintings, sculpture, handcrafted furniture and jewellery.

The exhibition culminated in a live auction of 20 artworks on Saturday January 26 with over 200 people attending the wine and cheese evening. 

Bidding was vigorous and all works were sold on the night with many going to local bidders in the audience, while one out-of-town bidder phoned in from Wellington to close a deal. 

Winning bids ranged from a few dollars up to $1,000. 

It was a poignant evening in light of the passing of Joy Agar, who was a founding member and recent life member of the Mangawhai Artists Association. 

Joy’s stingray sculpture overlooked proceedings.

Around $16,000 was raised by the exhibition and auction including $1,500 from visitor donations alone which shows strong community support for the local artists. 

Funds raised will be utilised to relocate the old Anglican Church building to Mangawhai Park where it will be used as an art gallery and studio space for local artists.