Art for support's sake

Quality Canvases and Art Supplies owners and artists (from left) Karyn Hitchman and Rachael Errington, both of Queenstown, with Wakatipu Plunket president Jane Hamilton, of Lake Hayes Estate, admire the original artworks auctioned, at the Cloakroom Gallery, on Saturday. Photo by James Beech.
Quality Canvases and Art Supplies owners and artists (from left) Karyn Hitchman and Rachael Errington, both of Queenstown, with Wakatipu Plunket president Jane Hamilton, of Lake Hayes Estate, admire the original artworks auctioned, at the Cloakroom Gallery, on Saturday. Photo by James Beech.

More than $1000 was raised online and at the gallery by the Quality Canvases and Art Supplies owners and artists (from left) Karyn Hitchman and Rachael Errington, who gave half of the proceeds to the children's support service.

The donation was "a great kick-start" for fundraising to upgrade Plunket's play area in spring, Mrs Hamilton said.

About 40 bids were made on 14 original works by Wakatipu artists.

Bids will remain open on the remaining 10 paintings until Thursday, Miss Errington said.

The highest bid was $800 for her piece, Wakatipu Winter.