It’s exhibition time again for the Tauranga Society of Artists. The Society is the largest group of vibrant artists in the Bay and comprises some 200 members who participate in a wide range of art genres and mediums and produce an astounding variety of original artwork…
Following on from the very successful Original Art Expo in October 2019, the Tauranga Society of Artists are hosting their most prestigious exhibition of the year including the Trustpower Supreme Award.
Where: Tauranga Boys’ College gymnasium – Corner 14th Ave and Devonport Road, Tauranga
When: Thursday 1- 4 October. Doors open 9.30am – 5pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, doors open 9.30am-4pm. Entry by gold coin donation.
Some 300 paintings were on display and for sale at the 2019 Expo and the Society expects to have a similar number at the 2020 event. This will be a very special collection of local original art for sale. This exhibition introduces some interesting initiatives by the Society:
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – The People’s Choice Award, which was won by Natalya Doudell in 2019, was very popular and will be held again. This gives the visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to vote for their favourite painting.
TINY ART – For the first time, there will be a TINY ART section where artists can enter up to 3 miniature artworks no larger than 22.5cm2. It’s a bit of fun and these artworks have a price cap of $150, making for a special economical original artwork for art hunters.
LIVE ART– Another new aspect to the exhibition is going to be LIVE ART. There will be artists working on artwork live at the exhibition so visitors can see art in action. Artists will be working in different mediums e.g. oils, watercolour, acrylic and pastels. ‘We may even be lucky enough to have some live portraiture happening,’ says Debbie Clarke, President of the Society. ‘We have many tremendously talented artists and would love to show them off and perhaps inspire visitors to take up some sort of art that they may always have wanted to do but not had the time or confidence to do so. We welcome new members and have lots to offer.’
TRUSTPOWER SUPREME AWARD – This is the Society’s most prestigious annual award. It is judged from a supreme section of the Expo wherein the artists can enter just one artwork. This year the judge will be Nicol Sanders O’Shea, Academic Leader of Arts, Music and Media at Tauranga and Rotorua Toi Ohomai. There will be five Merit Awards and one Supreme Award presented at the Gala Opening. The Expo will be opened by Mayor Tenby Powell.
The Tauranga Floral Art Group will be displaying their talents with some beautiful floral displays, complimenting the artworks.
The Society offers members daily opportunities to be involved in workshops, open sessions, tutorials and camaraderie, at their base Art Room in Elizabeth Street East which is complimentary to the creative energy and skill that goes on in their own homes and studios.
The Society would like to thank their sponsors: Trustpower, Farmer Auto Group, Harrisons Framing, Bethlehem Paper Plus, Heartland Bank, Brookfield New World.
[Image: Judith Robinson, Tauranga Society of Artists 2019 Expo]
