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Last modified: 17 Nov 2020 9:53am

A close up, overhead image of a pair of hands weaving some harakeke

The Annual Selwyn Arts Heart Exhibition sprung to life two weekends ago, on 7 and 8 November at the Rolleston Community Centre, with 280 people visiting from all over Selwyn and Canterbury.

Two hundred and fifty pieces of art were on display made by Selwyn artists. The exhibition – supported by the Council’s Creative Communities Fund – is open to artists of any style and age. It has hosted Canterbury artist Henry Turner’s art since he was 12, musical instruments made out of cake tins and the Selwyn Embroiderer’s group.

Scheduled for April next year, Selwyn Arts Heart Chairperson Wendy Rockhouse says she will apply for the Creative Communities Fund again to help cover the venue hire and advertising expenses, as she does every year.

“Without their funding, we couldn’t run an exhibition. Our exhibitions aren’t money making exhibitions, they’re held to give emerging artists the opportunity to participate in an exhibition.”

Wendy has been involved with Arts Heart for 16 years. She is a firm believer in art being good for the soul, which is at the heart of why Arts Heart hold these annual exhibitions, she says.

“I enjoy seeing the new artists that enter and the expression on their face when they’ve sold a piece of work. It brings the community together, it gives them a sense of wellbeing. Art gives them an avenue to express themselves, they otherwise might not have,” she says.

To help with that, Arts Heart only take 15% of the commission made from the exhibition.

Visit Arts Heart’s website for more information.

The Creative Communities Selwyn Fund is open for applications until 5pm, Friday 27 November. Visit the Creative Communities Fund page for more information and to apply.