A pop-up art exhibition to support people affected by the war in Ukraine will take place in Wānaka next month.

Supported by Wānaka Arts, the Wānaka Community Hub and local businesses, ‘Aid Through Art’ will run for the month of May at the Wānaka Community Hub.

Wānaka Arts is currently looking for artists who would like to take part in the exhibition and spreading the word about the event, which will run alongside an online fundraiser where people can also purchase artworks.

One of Wānaka Arts’ own members, Olga Zoma, is originally from eastern Ukraine, and her family will be one of four groups supported by the proceeds of the exhibition.

“For both exhibitions, a 40 percent commission will be taken on sales to go directly towards a donation which will be spread between Olga’s family and three other charities, which are helping on the ground,” Wānaka Arts said in a statement.

While Olga had the opportunity to leave Ukraine, much of her family remains there, unable to leave and living in increasingly unsafe conditions as they try to find safety. 

The family is running out of supplies and cash and they have had to move towns, leaving most of their belongings behind, to try to avoid the worst of the conflict.

As well as supporting Olga’s family, the proceeds from the fundraiser will be shared between ‘Save Kiev’ (an organisation in Kiev’s capital, which helps civilians with a special focus on the most vulnerable); ‘Bajannja Starenkih’ (a sister NGO to Save Kiev located in Odessa, which focuses on supporting elderly people); and ‘Svyatogorska Lavra’, a monastery in the Donetsk region which is housing refugees. 

Aid Through Art will take place at the Wānaka Community Hub from May 2-31, with opening night taking place on May 6.

The online fundraiser selling prints will run from May 1-31 or until stock runs out.

For those who would like to support the cause, there are five ways to do so: donate directly to the cause; enter your art in the live exhibition; sell art prints in the online exhibition; buy a ticket for opening night; and buy art in the online exhibition.

Find more information about all the ways to get involved in Aid Through Art here.

PHOTO: Reuters