Fiordland’s Labour Weekend art exhibitions are getting bigger and better every year. The artists and art lovers had a busy weekend with the Fiordland Arts Society and the Manapouri Art Group staging two independent exhibitions.

Manapouri Art Group kicked off on Friday night with a very successful opening of its Labour Weekend exhibition by the guest artists Ben Ho and Mary Mai attended by more than 100 people. Works of artists from Southland, Otago and Canterbury as well as Fiordland were showcased at the exhibition. The Manapouri hall was once again transformed into an art gallery with armchairs and coffee tables in the centre providing a comfortable space to admire the art from.  

As the theme this year is ‘flight’, it was fitting that the hall was decorated with model airplanes dangling from the rafters and displayed on the stage, courtesy of Cloudbusters RC Air Club. The models attracted attention from the young and those young at heart.

Manapouri Art Group guest artists Ben Ho and Mary Mai. PHOTO: Alina Suchanski

Guest artist Ben Ho judged the art competition and announced this year’s award winners. These were presented to:

• Marie Reid –Beadle, Waders of the Lost Ark, Best Overall Award Winner sponsored by Eagles, Eagles and Redpath. 
• Margaret Christie, Bubble Gum Best Theme Award sponsored by Te Anau Four Square.
• Mike Wright, South Otago Ridge, Best MAG Visual Art Award sponsored by Te Anau Kepler Lions Inc.
• Angelina Rae, Dreaming, Best Animal or Bird sponsored by Northern Southern Vets.
• Lisa Duncan, Hake Te Kira, Highly Commended Award sponsored by Fiordland Jet.
• Margaret Christie’s Pretty Poppies painting received the Remembrances Prize from Yvonne Leven’s Husband.

People’s choice award went to Marie Reid – Beadle for painting Drawing Straws.

Margaret Christie with her Bubble Gum painting, winner of the Best Theme Award sponsored by Te Anau Four Square. PHOTO: Alina Suchanski

“Over the whole weekend we had record numbers through and record sales. The classic cars were a big hit again and raised money for the Blair Vining trust. A bouncy castle was added this year and the children had a great time. Our cafe was very busy serving their delicious food and the comments we received where all positive. We are looking forward to a bigger better exhibition next year,” the group’s secretary Ann Whatley summed up the event.

The Fiordland Arts Society held its exhibition at the Fiordland Community Events Centre in Te Anau, which opened its doors on Saturday morning. The society’s president Glenda Bell said that the number of visitors this year was well above last year, well over 500.

As one entered the hall the eye was drawn immediately to the exquisite landscape photography by William Patino of Te Anau - homage to the beautiful place we live in.

On the walls around the perimeter of the hall were paintings, photographs and thought-provoking works made of recycled materials by Kit Ghata and Ray Willett. A life-size scrap metal sculpture of Haast eagle by Stephen MacElroy overlooked the whole exhibition from its high stand on the stage.

At the centre of the room were stands with pottery and woodwork and the amazing metal sculptures by Steve Rumore, a metal artist from Wanaka. Thanks to his engineering background Mr Rumore was able to breathe life into some of his works by introducing movement. His several metres high Revolution dominating the floor, consisted of multiple metal links welded together and the whole structure revolving on its axis. Another artwork which attracted a lot of interest was a giant wind vane in the form of a falcon balancing on a pivot point with the ability to rotate and swing gracefully.

Fiordland Arts Society guest artist Steve Rumore of Metalworks Wanaka Ltd. with his sculpture Revolution. PHOTO: Alina Suchanski

Live music by the Te Anau ukulele group From the Top on Saturday and by Manapouri guitarist Dave Vernon was well received by the artists and visitors alike.

“This year’s exhibition had a very positive vibe. The calibre of the art was high with a good array of different genres. We got a lot of positive feedback about the art and the music,” Mrs Bell said.

Mike Wright with his South Otago Ridge painting, Best Visual Art Award sponsored by Te Anau Kepler Lions Inc. PHOTO: Alina Suchanski