President’s Report
Kia ora NSAS members
In the previous newsletter I touched on various ideas the committee were discussing to support NSAS members. Here is an update of the committee’s progress in making some of those ideas a reality.
Our new website is almost ready to go live at the time of writing this. All working members should have received a request for a short artist profile, images of recent artworks and an image of themselves. You can also opt to sell your artworks in the NSAS online shop. Many thanks to committee member Tom Brooker who has designed the website and is at present uploading members’ information to their individual pages.
The central theme of my last newsletter was strengthening links to arts communities across the region. Towards this goal we have started discussions with an NSAS member in Golden Bay with the aim of increasing our links to that community. The committee are committed to strengthening regional community links and I hope this is the first step towards that goal.
At the last committee meeting it was decided to block a time in the 2026 exhibition schedule for a NSAS themed exhibition. The theme is Portraits and will be open to all NSAS members. The exhibition will take place in the winter of next year, so there will be plenty of time to consider how you might creatively respond to this theme.
I would like to congratulate Leanna Watkins, Sonja Walker and Shelby Rusbatch, the three NMIT graduates who produced an engaging exhibition of well executed artwork. They also managed to entice our mayor to attend the opening. Our support for Leanna, Sonja and Shelby took the form of free access to the McKee Gallery and a year’s NSAS membership. The committee would like to wish all three best wishes for their future creative endeavours.
Welcome to our new committee member Peter Gibbs. Many of you will know Peter. His experience in media and journalism make him an excellent addition to the NSAS committee. Thanks to the committee for organising and painting the McKee gallery this month. Finally I would also like to thank Nick Duncan for the countless hours he has put in ensuring the NSAS is fully compliant under the new regulations for the New Zealand Incorporated Societies Act 2022. We were recently issued with our new Certificate of Incorporation.
Once the new website is functioning the NSAS newsletter with take on a different look. So, this will be the last newsletter in this format. None of the NSAS newsletters would have been possible without the work of Clare Williams. So, on behalf of the NSAS membership I would like to thank Clare for all the time and effort she has given to produce them.
Ngā mihi nui
Ian Bowell (NSAS, President)
Artists Leanna Watkins, left, Sonja Walker and Shelby Rusbatch with their joint exhibition, Shift at the McKee Gallery.
Photo by: MARTIN DE RUYTER / NELSON MAIL
