Opening Night

OPENING NIGHT

The Opening Night of the Aotearoa Art Fair is an all-encompassing evening of art and culture. Mingle with galleries, collectors, artists, and other art enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in a night of art, music and live performance to celebrate New Zealand’s biggest night of contemporary art.

RAISE A GLASS

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There is nothing better than browsing art with a glass in hand, and our Beverage Partners provided the perfect companion. With a wide range of options, guests were well covered.

For those who sought something zesty and unique, Four Pillars Gin offered a refreshing twist with its botanical blends, crafted with classic ingredients and delivering unexpected notes. Two Rivers Wine treated visitors to a taste of New Zealand’s finest vineyards, showcasing the intense fruit flavours of Marlborough through elegant wines that reflected purity and a true sense of place with every glass poured. And to top it off, the exquisite Champagne Pommery — renowned for its elegance and craftsmanship since 1836 — was available for purchase. Blending grapes, passion, and creativity, Champagne Pommery remained devoted to one goal: the quest for constant perfection.

LIVE DJ

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A special soundtrack set the tone at the Art Fair’s Opening Night, as DJ Alisha brought her 15+ years of experience spinning at events across the country and abroad. Known for her dynamic, multi-genre sets, Alisha knew how to read the crowd and keep the energy high. Whether it was setting the mood for a laid-back vineyard sundowner or igniting a high-energy dance floor, her versatility was unmatched. At the Fair, she curated a unique DJ set that perfectly complemented the vibrant celebration of Aotearoa’s art scene.

PERFORMANCE

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Guests were treated to a roaming sound performance on Opening Night. Senses were stirred by the experimental sounds of Shall I be Mother? featuring Ben Holmes, Neil Feather, Eamon Edmundsen-Wells, Sean Martin-Buss, Chris O’Connor, and Jeff Henderson. Presented by Audio Foundation, Tea Trollied transformed the evening into an immersive musical journey not to be missed.