Words by Ian Preece
A very well-attended opening of the 5K Art Exhibition in Kuaotunu was followed by a steady stream of visitors over the King’s Birthday long weekend in late May and early June.
Originally scheduled for Anniversary Weekend in January, the exhibition had to be postponed due to storms and the slip that blocked State Highway 25 at Kūaotunu. Despite the approach of winter, we were delighted with the fantastic response from both our local community and visitors.
The name “5K” refers to five artists from Kūaotunu and is a subset of the 10 Artists group, formed nine years ago by Ian Preece and Isabel Gilbert Palmer.
The group’s purpose was to showcase the artistic talents within our local community. Since its formation, the 10 Artists have exhibited regularly, and we take great satisfaction in the group’s continued presence and contribution to the community.
We decided to rename this recent exhibition because of the limited availability of some core members. At the time of the original Anniversary Weekend event, five artists were participating. By King’s Birthday Weekend there were six artists involved, but we decided to keep the 5K name regardless.
The six artists exhibiting a diverse range of work were Lutz Gaebler, David Bryant, Annemeike Kregting, Louise Penberthy, Ian Preece, and Roimata Taimana.
We believe the ongoing success of the group comes down to several factors. Firstly, there is a strong desire within our highly creative community to display and sell quality artwork. However, this alone would not be enough, as all of the artists have other avenues through which they can share and sell their work.
Just as importantly, the group enjoys a genuine sense of unity. We continue to value working together, supporting one another, and sharing our collective passion for art. Equally significant is our connection with the wider community. We receive enthusiastic support and, in return, seek opportunities to give back.
Each exhibition supports a local cause or community project through fundraising efforts. In the nine years that we have been exhibiting, we have never supported the same cause twice, a testament to the highly engaged and active nature of our small community.
This year, the group chose to support the Kuaotunu Community Emergency Response Team (KCERT). This dedicated group of volunteers plays an invaluable role during local emergencies, providing communication and social media updates, reassuring residents, and offering practical support to those affected.
Each artist donated an original artwork, which was raffled individually at the conclusion of the exhibition. We were very pleased to present KCERT with $719 raised through the raffle proceeds.
Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and supported this worthy cause.
Our next exhibition is scheduled for Anniversary Weekend 2027. Watch this space!
