Recycling is blooming at the art gallery

Papakura Art Gallery’s latest exhibition offers the perfect antidote for the winter “blues”.
The Recycled exhibition, which runs until August 10, showcases floral art creations using recycled vessels.

Inspired by co-exhibiting artist Mauricio Benega’s use of recycled materials in his paintings, the members of the Papakura Floral Art Club have responded with an exhibition of colourful flowers that proves floral art is more than something that just sits in a vase.

Gallery Manager Emma Millynn says from tyres to old high chairs the group has come up with a range of unusual and clever vessels to hold their floral arrangements.
“I am amazed at the creativity of the individual pieces the group has made. This group of un-sung artists in our community have frequently won medals, including gold, at the Ellerslie Flower Show.”

The exhibition will have its perishable elements regularly refreshed – “recycled” throughout the course of the month-long exhibition.

Members of the Papakura Floral Art Group donate their time and creativity to many facets of the community. In addition to their efforts at the Ellerslie Flower Show, they create floral displays for the citizenship ceremonies held by Council once a month and provide creative displays of flowers at the South Auckland Hospice.

“These ladies achieve so much in a day, they constantly go above and beyond the call of duty. Club president Shirley Bedford even donates her time to meals on wheels, how she fits it all in I have no idea.”

In addition to putting together the Recycled exhibition and frequently refreshing the exhibits, the group also took on creating all the floral arrangements for the Matariki Fashion and Entertainment Evening, an event of the Papakura Matariki Festival.

Papakura Floral Art Group is actively seeking new members and invite anyone interested to contact Shirley Bedford on 298 8077. Contact details for the group will also be available at the Art Gallery.