Art With Love is not like any other art exhibition or auction.  It started in 2005, and was followed by the 2^nd affair, the 3^rd fling and now this event in 2008, the 4^th Romance.  It is called Art With Love because artists donate their work knowing that all the proceeds go to the school.  This is a significant contribution.  For this reason I would thank the artists who have contributed to this exhibition and auction.

I would also like to single out and publicly thank artists who have contributed to at least 3 of the 4 Art With Love events.  

Thank-you for your passion and your generosity.  They are:

• Karl Maughan 
• John Reynolds 
• John Pule 
• Amy Melchior 
• Catherine Carter 
• Eleanor Whyle 
• Basia Smolnicki 
• Margaret Elliot 
• Clinton Phillips 
• Gabrielle Jones 
• Sam Miller-Walters 
• Tyla Vaeau 
• Olivier Duhamel 
• Kristelle Plimmer

I would also like to specifically recognize the recent achievements of two artists who have children who attend Richmond Road School.  John Reynolds and Edith Amatuanai were finalists in the recently awarded Walters Prize for contemporary art. Congratulations to you both on this significant achievement. As already mentioned John Reynolds has contributed significantly to Art With Love in the past, and Edith has donated two pieces to this, the 4^th Romance.

In addition to the artists, this event would not be possible without 2 other groups.  Firstly I would like to thank our sponsors.  Their support adds to the professional quality of this event.  Please support them, and make them your first port of call when you can.

Secondly our staff and parents who have helped make this event the success it is.  I would particularly like to acknowledge Sue Winslow who was one of the founding organizers of this event, and whose experience we have drawn on extensively, and the 2008 organising committee consisting of the following parents – Stephen Fisher, Kim O’Loughlin, Robyn Walton, Julie Plourde, and our coordinator Angie TuiSamoa.

The proceeds of this event are used to employ our wonderful teacher aides.  We currently employ 6 teacher aides who support teachers by working with groups or individual children in our language programmes, or who provide remedial support for children in literacy and numeracy.  We are also looking at ways in which we can further develop the art programmes for our children.  We are certainly not short of talent in our community to tap into.

Ben and James from Art + Object are our auctioneers once again. We look forward to seeing you back here again on Tuesday for the auction.