Art on the Go!!

The Aspiring Art Prize 2009, a stylish, well-organised event, with an expressed aim "to foster and encourage artists living and working in the South Island of New Zealand", premiered 14 January 2009 at Holy Cross school in Wanaka as a fundraiser for the school. I was delighted to have my painting, Chains of Gold , shown above, displayed amongst the works of some of the South Island's finest artists in this 4 day event staged by Yeverley McCarthy and her hardworking team of volunteers. The 2009 Winner of the $5000 Prize was Anzac, an oil on canvas by Diedre Copeland. Merit Award winners were Family Group, an acrylic on canvas by Rachel Hirabayashi; Aquamarine III, an oil on mirror by Mary McFarlane; and Richard Hansen's Flour Mill, oil on canvas.

To ensure safe journey of "Chains of Gold" back to my studio, I personally retrieved the painting, happily taking time to enjoy the exhibits in Wanaka galleries, as well as those venues along the way. The "on the way" galleries are presented in this post.

Annie's of Winton Gallery

Zooming by Annie's of Winton Gallery on my many trips to Queenstown , I've always considered it a lovely and attractive gift shop serving the Winton area. Beautiful clothing, colourful pottery, upmarket kitchen wares, and a myriad of personal and gift items are welcomingly presented. On to the upstairs gallery. I expect to see a really enjoyable place to buy framed prints and ornaments. Following the beautifully worn banister up the stairwell, I note stylishly framed prints of historical Winton photographs all over the wall and on the steps as well. Great variety and a perfect gift, I'm sure, for Winton history buffs. Okay, so far. But where's the art?

Upstairs, indeed, smartly framed prints of works by Graham Sydney, Dianne Patterson and Garrick Tremain are on show. And I love the massive ornate framed mirrors on offer. Nonetheless, I am pleased to discover a collection of oils and watercolours by the late Ray Melhop. One wall serves as memorial to Mr. Melhop, displaying photos and newspaper clippings about the life of this Southland-born artist. My favourite, "Roaring Meg", is an energetic, impressionistic watercolour. Also noteworthy is an Isla Manning collection, including my favourite, an approximate 200 x 200 mm framed ink and wash, "Little Boxes". Hilda Thompson's group of watercolour botanicals are stunning. Flax never looked so royal as it does in "Flax Flower". Vibrant and confident. Annie's of Winton Gallery, offers art by some tremendously talented people, however, the work I viewed is neither particularly thought-provoking nor trying to make any kind of challenging statement. It is simply lovely artwork. The good selection of confidently created art and prints for home or gifting certainly makes a visit here worthwhile. Annie's of Winton Gallery located 260 Great North Road in Winton, Phone 3-236-7127 for hours.

Five Rivers Cafe, Bar, Art Gallery and Barnyard

Five Rivers Cafe, Bar, Art Gallery, and Barnyard is a welcoming all-purpose break for travellers on their way to the Lakes District, Te Anau, or Invercargill, located in the beautiful Five Rivers Area north of Lumsden. The venue, decorated in a contemporary yet folksy country style with rustic corrugated steel wall panels and ceiling, appears to attract a lot of visitors. Most of those coming in for refreshment eventually wander into the gallery to view the collection of original artwork, Dutch milking stools, metal animal sculptures, dolls, coasters, feathers and other souvenirs available for purchase. Queenstown oil painter Paul Cato's majestic Doubtful Sound landscape is prominently shown. Other works include earthy compositions from ever popular Mary Witsey of Central Southland alongside the contrasting, modish acrylics of Linda Herdman. Textured abstracts of Simon Prendegrast, share the same enclave with photographic prints by Dale Gardiner of Queenstown. My pick is a squared copper verdigris welded wall hanging by Roland Schnider. Linda Herdman's colourful and funky large gallery wrap acrylics hang in the eating area, as are colourful selections from Christine O'Connor. Margaret McKenzie is represented by a three frame collection showcasing her hip, upbeat work. Upon entry into the establishment is a lovely Mavis Andrews landscape accompanied by her photo and her story.

The Five Rivers Cafe Art Gallery serves the local arts community well in providing an attractive venue for their works. The artwork in the eating area, unfortunately, is difficult to fully appreciate due to low illumination. More lighting should help. To be sure, this gallery is catering to the tourists coming through, and therefore offers mass produced mementos. This is not a problem because a traveler interested in a trinket may, indeed, spy a work of art they simply can't live without. However, I wonder about the two unsigned and unattributed earth-toned abstracts on display in the enclave. I suspect, as did my traveling companion, that they may be Asian factory paintings. I certainly hope I'm wrong. With all the time, effort, money, and soul they put into each individual painting, the local artist cannot compete with the cost-efficiency of low paid painters mass producing in off shore sweatshops.

Nonetheless, I do recommend a stop off for refreshments and a look at the artwork available at Five Rivers Cafe Bar Art Gallery and Barnyard on your next journey up State Highway 6.