The Diocesan School Secret Art initiative will see up to 250 postcard sized artworks up for sale for $100 each this June. The twist is that potential purchasers won’t know who the artist of their particular painting is until they have selected and paid for the artwork and the signatory on the back is revealed.

Diocesan students, aspiring artists, Old Girls, well known personalities and some of New Zealand’s best known artists have been invited to create a piece for the Secret Art exhibition. The identify of these high-profile artists is a closely guarded secret, but will include Sarah Hillary, daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary, a Diocesan Old Girl and Principal Conservator at Auckland Art Gallery.

Sarah is delighted that the School considers art such a priority for the students and has agreed to contribute one of her own artworks for the exhibition.

“Times have changed since my days at Diocesan, when art was not considered appropriate for those in the top streams. Despite my passion and great interest in art, I was only allowed to attend the art class for a term.  It was wonderful, but far too brief!”

Chair of Dio Arts, Rosey Eady, says the early feedback on the event has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Almost all of the artists we’ve approached have been delighted to be included in the event. They’re excited to see the work purchased in the Secret Art initiative simply because people love it and not because of who the artist is.

“With approximately 250 canvases for sale, and a wide variety of different artistic styles, the exhibition is sure to offer something for everybody”.

Rosey is a Diocesan Old Girl herself and has been Chair of Dio Arts since helping to found it eight years ago. Her family has a strong connection to the creative world and her grandfather, Arthur Eady - a violinist, owner of Arthur Eady Ltd importers of instruments and sheet music - was a big supporter of the arts, as was her father, who established the first dance band in Auckland in the 20s and 30s. She says her involvement in Dio Arts is a way of honouring her ancestry as well as supporting arts into the future.

“It’s important we support students in all their endeavours, as they are the leaders of the future. There has been a huge change in how artistic skills and qualifications are valued, particularly at a corporate level, as companies look for a creative mindset in their employees.

“Dio has a strong tradition of high achieving artists across a range of performing and visual arts’ disciplines and the teaching staff is world class. The new Arts Centre will provide an incredible learning centre to enable students to reach their full potential.”

The Secret Art initiative is free and open to the public, with the Pop Up Gallery and Café open from 9am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday, 10 and 11 June. An exclusive preview cocktail event will be held at the School on Thursday 9 June 2016 from 6.30 to 8.30pm. Event tickets are available through iTicket.