Timaru art show still on

The South Canterbury Art Society’s annual exhibition and art awards are going ahead at Timaru’s Aigantighe Art Gallery this year – with a slight difference.

Due to Covid alert level 2 restrictions, the usual opening night on Friday has been called off with the Alpine Energy Art Awards judging being filmed on Thursday evening.

‘‘The video will play in a loop throughout the show,’’ South Canterbury Arts Society president Sue Connolly said.

The art awards cover a range of categories: oils, acrylics, water colours, works on paper, screen prints, 3D sculpture, mixed media and miniatures.

‘‘We have category winners, but there is no overall prize.’’

A special prize selected from all entries would be chosen and the society’s patron Nancy Ven Den Broeke would also award a special prize.

More than 200 entries have been received for the annual exhibition.

‘‘They are probably a wee bit up on previous years,’’ Connolly said.

‘‘There’s a huge cross-section. Part of our role is to encourage people to show their work and make it less intimidating.

‘‘We have professionals who are selling their work around the country through to people who are starting out.’’

Yesterday was ‘‘receiving day’’ in which all entries in the show were unpacked at the gallery. Aigantighe staff would then decide how to display the works.

‘‘They look for an overall effect, it’s an absolute skill. They draw the best out of the works.’’

Works from three guest artists were appearing in the exhibition, from painter Sue Tennent, of Fairlie, Vicky King, a flax weaver from Timaru, and Wire Oaks Tree Design of Ashburton.

The exhibition opens at midday on Saturday. Connolly said it would run for three weeks as per the usual Aigantighe Art Gallery hours.