Due to NZ Sculpture OnShore’s physical exhibition falling victim to Covid-19, the innovative organisers of the fundraising event (for Women’s Refuge) have shifted online with a Dazzling Range of Art to Inspire and Enjoy.
NZ Sculpture OnShore was scheduled to be held at Fort Takapuna in late October and November.
The country’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition opened online on November 5th, and the organisers were still committed to raising $100,000 as Women’s Refuge’s biggest fundraising event.
Channel Mag readers are invited to visit the new, purpose-built online platform to view and purchase the more than 100 spectacular works.
The online site also calls for Kiwis to support women and children fleeing domestic violence by donating to their Woman’s Refuge Give-a-Little campaign. This year, donations will go towards ‘Kids in the Middle’, an initiative to create safe, comforting and creative spaces for children staying in each of the Refuge’s 40 safe houses.
NZ Sculpture OnShore’s Board Chair Sally Dewar is calling on all New Zealanders to get behind the campaign.
“The impact of this global pandemic has hit many of our local communities hard; more New Zealand women and children than ever before are fleeing from dangerous situations. There are few things more important than helping children feel safe and secure after experiencing trauma, and so we are determined to support Woman’s Refuge’s Kids in the Middle project.
“If you’re one of the tens of thousands of people who would usually buy a ticket to NZ Sculpture OnShore, please go online today and give generously to this important cause. If you’ve not been to the exhibition before, this is a great opportunity to do so."
Event curator Sally Lush says while moving the event online has been a mammoth task, the range of art in this year’s exhibition is truly remarkable.
“There are quirky and thought-provoking works, soaring monumental sculptures, sound and light art works and sight specific installations. Also, there will be many accessible works specifically for adding that special touch to home gardens.
“The works are by emerging and established artists from around New Zealand, with a mix of crowd favourites who have exhibited at previous events, and others offering fresh and exciting new perspectives.”
Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury says she is humbled by the huge effort put into the event by the organisers and the artists.
“For a quarter of a century, this event has pulled together an extraordinary range of art. They’ve refused to let COVID and lockdown get in the way and we just can’t thank Friends of Women’s Refuge Trust enough. We’re really pleased that this year, the proceeds will be going to a brand-new child-led initiative that comes off the back of our Kids in the Middle research, as well as to counselling services for women."
Kids in the Middle was designed following a first of its kind research report into what children need to feel safe and secure after experiencing family violence. As part of the research, Women’s Refuge family violence specialists talked to nineteen children who had stayed at safe houses and asked them what could be done to improve refuge services for kids in the future.
Since inception, NZ Sculpture OnShore has raised more than $2.1 million for the victims of domestic violence, helping women and children access safe places to stay, counselling and wrap around services.
NZ Sculpture OnShore continues to acknowledge the support of principal sponsor Fisher Funds and gold sponsors Hesketh Henry, Harcourts Cooper & Co and Perpetual Guardian.
Visit: www.nzsculptureonshore.co.nz
