Issue date
The Spirit of Gold® Collection is a unique combination of art and sport. Kiwi artist Amber Gabrielle Stephens has created a beautiful set of 12 Portraits featuring some of New Zealand’s most high profile summer and winter Paralympians and Para-Athletes, to showcase the depth of talent across Para-Sport in New Zealand. The collection includes London 2012 Paralympic Games medallists, Sophie Pascoe, Michael Johnson, Cameron Leslie and Mary Fisher, Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games medallist, Corey Peters, and World Champion Para-Cyclists Emma Foy and Laura Thompson.
The collection is set to tour New Zealand for up to 35 weeks, increasing awareness and raising funds to support the New Zealand Paralympic Games team on the road to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and to support the growth of Para-Sport in New Zealand. The collection will be auctioned during a planned ‘send off’ event in June 2016, the mark the moment the team leaves for training camps ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, 7 - 18 September 2016.
PNZ is delighted that the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce will stage more than 10 local events around the country ahead of Rio 2016, ensuring that everyone in New Zealand will have an opportunity to see the Portraits, meet Paralympians and learn more about Para-Sport. This series of events will be complemented by events being staged by PNZ major partners and booked appearances at local community events and venues. It is expected that the Collection may visit in excess of 30 different locations in the course of the Tour.
The first ever public viewing of the full Collection will take place at Te Wero Island Container Library, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland. The Collection will be available to view from 9am to 6pm from 30 November to 6 December.
Full tour schedule will be available shortly at www.paralympics.org.nz
