Nelsonians show appreciation for art by raising over $70,000

A fundraiser for one of Nelson’s best-loved galleries proved an asset, showing that the area’s passion for art is alive and well.

The Suter Art Gallery’s Mid-winter Spectacular fundraising event raised a staggering $70,600, which “exceeded our expectations,” said Suter Art Gallery director Julie Catchpole.

“Which was really wonderful.”

The money raised is intended to obtain permanent works of art for the gallery’s collection, which is continually enlarged and enriched.

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Catchpole said the mantra in collecting artwork was for it to be “locally relevant and nationally meaningful”.

“That means it will have meaning for people here, or created by a local artist or inspired by the region.”

She said a good example of permanent pieces the gallery had included prolific New Zealand artists Bill Hammond and Rita Angus.

Hammond’s piece All Along the Heaphy Highway, acquired by The Suter, is not only displayed in the gallery, but is also recreated on the pocket park wall by the Elma Turner Library.

“He is a very important artist on the national scene, but this particular work has a history very linked to this region.

The Apple Pickers by Angus, owned by The Suter, will be on display later this year in a Rita Angus exhibit, Catchpole said.

“It’s an important work in his career, and it also tells a story of this region. It has our skyline as a backdrop; and the group of people represented there, you will always find groups of people from all over the world involved in fruit picking.

“These are the kinds of works of art that a fundraiser like this allows us to buy.”

But she said the number of pieces over $70,000 would buy was unknown.

“He could buy one, or he could buy several.”

The support for the event at Hopgoods Restaurant was overwhelming, she said.

“A huge thank you to everyone who gave work and put their hand in their pocket. We had incredibly generous donations to make the auction possible.

In 2019, the gallery celebrated its 120th anniversary.

Nelson artist and President of the Bishop Suter Trust, Craig Potton, is also on the acquisition committee, which sources art. He said there was a long “wish list” of art the money could go to.

While taxpayers funded the gallery, he said the actual art collection was funded by “people who care about art in Nelson.”

“Art loving people specific to Nelson and beyond Nelson.”

The fundraising night not only allowed people to dig deep, but also brought out those who had art to offer to the gallery.

The fundraising evening saw punters “eagerly bidding to buy artwork and packages,” Potton said, but also after the auction some offered works by Barraud, Gully and Woollaston asking if The Suter would be interested in taking them.

He said the gifted works of art made up a small part of the collection.

“The art world is an extremely generous world.”

Works by renowned artists such as Karl Maughan, Michael Dell, Sir Grahame Sydney, Robin Slow and Joe Sheehan were auctioned off alongside fine wines, designer bags and experience packages as the collection funds.

Guests dined on a menu specially curated by top chef Kevin Hopgood and his team.

A work by Karl Maughan sold for $35,500.