On June 24th 2021, Bergman Gallery in association with SCAPE Public Art and Wrightmann House hosted an historic fundraiser for the Cook Islands first ever artist to Venice. Exhibiting at Palazzo Bembo at the invitation of the European Cultural Centre (ECC), Mahiriki Tangaroa's site specific project Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean formed part of the ECC's biennial curated statement Personal Structures.
The fundraiser featured hors d’oeuvres by Phillip Nordt and Rick Rutledge-Manning, performances by the Cook Islands community and Nina Oberg Humphries and an auction conducted by Art + Object Directors Ben Plumbly & Leigh Melville.
Planning an exhibition of this magnitude at the height of the Covid pandemic presented a unique set of circumstances, however an unparalleled level of support from patrons, friends, private enterprise, artists, industry leaders and the Cook Islands Government combined to make history for Cook Islands contemporary art exhibition.
Our appreciation and thanks to;
Bergman Gallery Patrons
Palm Grove
Bank South Pacific
Zeman & Co Photo + Film
CITC Liquor
Personal Structures Sponsors
MOTU Beachfront Art Villas, Directors John & Rose Dunn
Patron, Diane McKegg
Patron, Ewan Smith
Maritime Cook Islands, Directors Tony Manarangi and Glenn Armstrong
Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development, Tauranga Vananga: Hon. Minister George Maggie & Secretary Anthony Turua
Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority, CEO Marie Francis
Bergman & Sons - Cook Islands Black Pearls
Special Thanks
European Cultural Centre & Personal Structures Exhibition Organizer and Head of Art: Sara Danieli.
Palazzo Bembo Management: Lorenzo Basadonna Scarpa & Giovanna D'Albertis
Cook Islands Tourism General Manager, Southern Europe: Nicholas Costantini
Brett Porter, Richard Davies, Felicity Robinson, Kate Fitzgerald, Cate Walker.
Cook Islands to Venice Fundraiser, 24 June 2021
It is with profound appreciation that we acknowledge the organisations and individuals that helped deliver a history making fundraiser, Cook Islands to Venice, Wrightmann House, Christchurch.
Wrightmann House & Collection, Anthony Wright & Selene Manning.
SCAPE Public Art, Chair Michael Fulton, Executive Director Deborah McCormick, Philanthropy & Communications Manager Carolyne Grant, the board of directors, and the incredible staff who worked tirelessly.
To the artists who gave generously to the fundraiser auction - Reuben Paterson, John Pule, Andy Leleisi'uao, Sylvia Marsters, Fatu Feu'u, Nina Oberg Humphries, Benjamin Kulimoe'anga Work, Christopher Ulutupu, Lonnie Hutchinson & Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine.
Art + Object Directors, Leigh Melville & Ben Plumbly.
Gow Langsford Gallery, Directors John Gow, Gary Langsford & Anna Jackson.
Ora Partners, Directors Puai Wichman & Tai Ngari.
Zeman & Co, Photo + Film, Directors Julian & Brie Zeman.
Pasifika Medical Association, Chair Kiki Maoate & CEO Debbie Sorensen.
OTB - On the Beach, Bar & Restaurant Rarotonga, Chef Phillip Nordt.
White Tie Catering & Rick Rutledge-Manning.
Central Art Gallery, Director Jonathan Smart.
iDeliver Freight Limited, Directors Stephen Carr & Paul Love.
Gin Gin, Luke Dawkins & Crew.
SOMO Creative, Director Andrea Rickerby.
Scapegrace Gin, East Imperial Superior Beverages.
Kim Chan, Florist & Event Stylist, Pegasus Bay - Fine Waipara Wine, Three Boys Brewery.
