In March St Margaret’s in Taihape held an art exhibition and sale in conjunction with the Taihape Art Society and other local artists in the church hall.  While the exhibition happened back in March, we think it’s a story worth telling! 

The successful function was held over an opening night with wine and cheese and then continued over the following Friday and Saturday. This was St Margaret’s second art exhibition; the first being also “An Affordable Art Sale” held in 2021.  

Exhibition Convenor, Elizabeth Cottrell says, “One of our goals was that the venue provided a place for the whole community to simply enjoy art.  It wasn’t just a fundraiser and about money; we wanted to share the joy of art.”  

“There was plenty of time for cups of tea and conversation with so many different people in our community. So often, one would ask viewers, “Are you passing through?” and they would reply, “No we live here!”” 

“There was a great atmosphere the whole time. Just what we wanted when we strive to be the light of Christ in our community.  We also wanted to inspire people with the art and hopefully they would see something that they thought they might have “a go-at” sometime,” says Elizabeth.  

She says, “we believe we had first time art viewers, and we were confident they felt comfortable and welcome.”   

The art exhibition had a wide variety of art, and the quality was high.  

Works of major New Zealand artists including Taihape’s own Douglas MacDiarmid, Jeff Thomson, and Peter McIntyre were on display. But even with these special art works on display one local artist, Timoti Pekamu, was once again the favourite with his life-like pencil drawings.  

Over a dozen people over the weekend asked the convenors if they could exhibit one of their favourite pieces of art next year. We said certainly; that we want to include everyone in the community.  

All the funds raised are going back into the community through the St Margaret’s Taihape Area School scholarship and towards breakfast and school supplies for new entrants.  

We look forward to engaging the wider Taihape town to join us again next autumn for a longer art exhibition and sale. 

A video showing some of the artworks can be viewed here: St Margaret's Art Exhibition