North Shore business recognised for creative contribution
Browns Bay resident and Manager of the New Zealand Art Guild, Sophia Elise is thrilled her passions for fine art and philanthropy have come together to create a striking composition.
The New Zealand Art Guild was last week announced as a finalist in The David Awards, which take place annually to recognise the tenacity and dedication of small businesses. Elise says her business supports and provides opportunities for visual artists of all mediums and career stages. It has been selected as one of three finalists in the “Most community-minded business” category. She believes the huge support the Guild has given to its artists in addition to a major focus on supporting charities both in New Zealand and overseas, has contributed to the group’s recognition as a finalist. “The Guild operates as a business but donates a significant amount of time and money to non-profit organisations,” she says. “We’ve been involved in charity events since the business started in 2004, because that’s a real passion of mine, and in the last year we have helped raise more than $60,000 for a number of organisations." “The New Zealand Art Guild is an official sponsor of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, as well as supporting other charities such as the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation of NZ, UNICEF, NZ Shore Plover and many others.” “Providing support to the emerging artists who belong to our organisation is also very satisfying and I love seeing them reaching important milestones. There are some artists who started out as Guild members when they were selling paintings for just $15 or $20 and now they’re selling works for thousands and winning various awards.” Elise says she believes her passion for helping people has come from her many years working as a nurse, which she was still doing part-time up to last year. The Guild also has a team of volunteers, equally enthusiastic about the business and its charitable endeavours. Organiser of The David Awards, Heather Douglas, says it takes a lot of courage for people like Elise to give up their regular incomes and secure jobs, to make their small business idea a reality. “That’s the kind of bravery the awards recognise,” she says. “There are plenty of business awards out there, but usually if you’re a little player it can be difficult to compete against big businesses. We want to recognise small Kiwi businesses, many of them home-based, who’ve taken a risk in order to pursue their passions." “It’s about courage, integrity, tenacity, and encouraging businesses, such as the New Zealand Art Guild, to keep going doing the good work they’re doing,” she says. The David Award winners will be announced at 10.30am on October 7, via a live webcast at www.thedavidawards.co.nz. Another North-Shore business – Telephos – has been recognised as a finalist in both the “Most outstanding transitional business” and “Most outstanding lifestyle business” categories.
ENDS
Contact:
Sophia Elise, Manager NZ Art Guild, email: admin@nzartguild.co.nz, phone: 027 630 1810 Heather Douglas, Home Business New Zealand Ltd, email: info@thedavidawards.co.nz , phone: 09 445 2899 Olivia Starrenburg, Marketing Communications Advisor, North Shore City Council, email: Olivia.starrenburg@northshorecity.govt.nz , phone: 486 8600 ext 8749 or 027 241 3165.
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