Greater exposure for local artists

ART works by local artists are to receive increased exposure as the result of a partnership between the Manawatu District Council and the Feilding and District Art Society.

Seven paintings are now on display in part of the foyer at the council’s administration building in Manchester Street and open to public view for the next two to three months.

Community Services Group Manager, Brent Limmer, said the opportunity to showcase the art works in the foyer space had resulted from the building’s recent redevelopment.

“We thought it would be a good idea to enter into an agreement with the art society so local artists can present their works for possible display.”

The paintings will rotate between the council foyer and the Feilding Public Library before a new set of works is selected for display.

Mr Limmer said the art works were in a good location - near Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie’s office and clearly visible for people attending meetings in the council chamber and committee rooms or visiting the nearby customer services’ reception area.

He said the number of works on display at any one time would vary, depending on size and detail.
The first group of artists and works to be represented are Judy Johnstone (Pines on the Hill and Bad Weather Desert Road), Ruth Champion (The Glass Bowl and The Back Door), Gael Gamble (The Mighty Manawatu and Kai Iwi Beach) and Michael Nidd (Spitfire Pilot).

Feilding and District Art Centre Manager, Beverley Waugh, said the society was thrilled at the opportunity its members had been given to have their works given a wider showing.

“I’m blown away by the artistic talent in Feilding, but it doesn’t get out there enough,” she said. “Not enough members of the public see it and that’s one of the reasons why we are hanging in the council foyer and library. It’s wonderful.”

She said it was a great initiative, not only for the artists, but also the community, as many of the works carried a local flavour.