It has been exciting indeed to witness the response to the Keirunga Building Fund Art Auction, from the artists who donated work to the bidders and members who filled the Havelock North Function Centre on the evening of 28th October.
The Live Auction Evening, plus the three days of the Silent Bid Exhibition, grossed $96,000 with Kate MacKenzie’s work titled ‘Feelers’ going for the highest bid of the night at $8,000. Bridget Morison’s work ‘Cheval’ went for $7,500, John Woodham’s striking sculpture ‘Paradise Perhaps’ fetched $5,200 and Keryn Whitney’s beautiful cast glass ‘Pear, Peach and Apple’ went for $4,500.
Keirunga member and volunteer, Brenda Haldane who lead the fundraising initiative told BayBuzz that the event has been over two years in the planning and execution, because of the ongoing effects of Covid and the consequent two postponements. “It has been amazingly supported by artists of high calibre donating their artworks and many other generous donors. Our small Keirunga organising group is more than appreciative and I am ‘blown away’ by the amount raised – far more than the $50,000 I was half hoping to achieve,” said Brenda.
This windfall is a real boost for the Keirunga Arts and Crafts Society Incorporated. It was necessary to raise enough money to start the building of a new all-purpose gallery and workshop space adjacent to the existing buildings. When complete it will serve all the Keirunga groups and the community with much needed exhibition space that will also be available for travelling exhibitions and corporate hire.
Keirunga Board Chairman Chris Moore commented, “The whole function was a tremendous success and the financial result was way ahead of our expectations. We’re well on the way towards the initial target.” Further funding to complete the new build is necessary with the next phase of funding expected to be sourced through various Arts Funding agencies.
An estimated two hundred people attended the Auction; the evening featured food, wine and entertainment and of course, the Live Auction. Harcourts HB sponsored the event and provided the professional auctioneers. The comment at the end of the night from James Cooper General Manager was they were delighted with the outcome and loved doing it.
Photo by www.alphapix.nz