2009 Wine Box Auction raises over $30,000 for Real People @ Mosaic

An enthusiastic crowd turned out for the 4th annual 2009 Wine Box Auction showing just how fantastic the community support for the Real People @ Mosaic service is.

A total of $30,450 was raised from the 35 lots auctioned. Lots included unique artworks from nationally recognized artists, the crème de la creme of Hawke’s Bay’s most successful artists and included artworks by six Real People @ Mosaic students.

Each Winebox artwork is crafted using a standard pine wooden wine box as its base – artists are encouraged to think outside the square. The imagination of the artists and the quality of work produced has developed over the years, and 2009 results were not exception!

Billed as the ‘one to watch on the NZ art scene’ Ben Pearce’s first Winebox raised a fantastic $2650. Other highlights included artists Riks Terstappen and Dick Frizzell’s artworks fetching $2100 and $2000 respectively. Both artists have been involved with the Winebox Auction since its inception and 2009 is their 4th series of Winebox artworks. The interest in Paratene Matchitt’s beautiful ‘Sault’ saw it going under the hammer for $1900 while newcomer Peata Larkin’s ‘Abundance’ sold for $1800.

“Each year the quality of artworks has increased” says Fiona Hislop, Event Coordinator. “The ten artists who have produced works for all 4 Winebox Auctions; (Linda Bruce, Riks Terstappen, Lex Benson-Cooper, Dick Frizzell, Jane Gray, Jo Blogg, Eddie Budd, Fane Flaws, Wellesley Binding) all held their own, while prices received for newcomers and artists who are students at Mosaic reflected the depth and quality of what was on offer”.

“The support from the high caliber of contributing artists was fantastic, not only do they donate an artwork, they believe in the value of Outsider Art and the opportunity our students have at Mosaic. We are hugely grateful for their support of this event.” adds Fiona.

With the generous support of the event sponsor, Riverside Wines, all artworks auctioned were accompanined by 6 bottles of wine. These bottles were all individually hand labelled with an image of the artwork they accompanied adding to the collectability of these artworks as a ‘conversation’ piece. This ongoing commitment from Riverside Wines definitely adds further value to each wine box artwork.

The Wine Box Auction is fast becoming an iconic art event in Hawke’s Bay, its ‘step up’ in 2009 to being held at the Hastings City Art Gallery marked its ‘coming of age’ exposing the art to the wider HB community. “While its heart will always belong at Real People @ Mosaic, we were very grateful for the support of the Hastings City Art Gallery and for their recognising the significance of the Winebox artworks.” Says Fiona.

Since its inception in 2006, the Winebox Auction has raised over $88,000 for the RealPeople @ Mosaic service. This event is a significant part of our fundraising, contributing directly to their $100,000 operating deficit.