Art auction in the garden

Maniototo Area School students (from left) Ella Owen, 15, Jake Smith, 16, and Charlie Owens, 15,...
Maniototo Area School students (from left) Ella Owen, 15, Jake Smith, 16, and Charlie Owens, 15, display some of the artwork which has been created for a fundraising art auction at Clachanburn Gardens on October 19. Money raised from the event will go towards the school’s history trip to Vietnam next year. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
For the first time in more than 10 years, Maniototo Area School is planning a history trip for students to Vietnam.

A huge range of events and schemes have been under way to raise the $250,000 needed for the trip.

The next fundraiser will appeal to those with an appreciation of beautiful gardens and stunning artworks.

Open day organiser Kym Smith said as well as viewing the Clachanburn Gardens, there would be incredible artwork available for auction, each piece individually created for the fundraiser.

On October 19, Clachanburn would open to ticket holders at 1pm and the art would be set up around the garden for people to view before the auction started at 2.30pm, Mrs Smith said.

The artwork for auction had been generously offered by the artists, including two prints from world-renowned and Maniototo-based artist Grahame Sydney, Mrs Smith said.

Other works included in the auction were from artists Rachel Hirabayshi, Nigel Wilson, Keiza Field and Sian Fiebig.

Two garden artworks from Steelo’s Creation, weaving by Shelley Johnson-Lowe and carved birds from Luke Antony would also be on offer alongside photography from Amy Hughes and Janyne Fletcher.

Clachanburn Gardens, on Puketoi Station, has the status of Garden of National Significance.

It is an oasis in the harsh Maniototo, created by Jane Falconer across 2ha.

Two ponds, a stream, nuttery, rose gardens and an orchard are just some of the attractions to be found.

The garden’s lush diversity owed much to the Maniototo Irrigation Scheme, which runs nearby, given the altitude and low rainfall in the area.

Since 1992, the garden has been open to the public and Mrs Falconer had hosted visitors from all around the world.