Chance to purchase affordable works of art

Sophie Watkins.

Former students of EIT's Ideaschool are holding their annual exhibition and sale of works at the Hastings Community Art Centre, opening on July 4.

Titled EXquisIT, the two-week exhibition will show a range of works from EXIT - a collective of graduates from EIT's acclaimed visual art and design degree.

This, their seventh exhibition, will see 15 members of the 51-strong collective coming together to present works spanning a variety of genres - including painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and printed materials. Coordinators, Erica Stephens and Sophie Watkins said there was something for everyone.

"The standard is high but not the prices," Ms Watkins said

Members of the group share the workload of putting together the exhibitions, taking care of everything from curation to clean-up. Along with the coordinators, fellow EXIT members Kathleen Arthurs and Amber Davison will curate the exhibition, while graphic designer Holly Cowan will produce the promotional materials.

Other exhibitors showing are Vonda Christensen, Sharon Wrigley, Makiko Smith, Martina Magee, Emanuel Dunn, Fraser Duncan, Eve Kireka, Rin Lundall, Pagan Moon, Pita Kire and Raewyn Paterson.

Alongside the high quality exhibition pieces, the upcoming show will also include a "cash-and-carry" table, which will include smaller works from the artists , ranging in price from $10 to $70. The cash-and-carry concept was borne from the idea of giving both artists and the public the chance to present and purchase works with a more affordable price tag.

Formed in 2011, EXIT offers a way for former students to stay connected and provides a vehicle to promote their works. The name EXIT refers to the fact that the artists are ex-EIT and exhibitions are often named around the word - EXIT, EXIST, CO-EXIST and now EXquisIT.

EXquisIT exhibition:

* July 4-16

* Hastings Community Art Centre, 106 Russell St South, Hastings