It's not often the works of more than 130 artists come together in one spectacular showcase, but at The University of Auckland's Elam School of Fine Arts this weekend, that's just what will happen.

It's not often the works of more than 130 artists come together in one spectacular showcase, but at The University of Auckland's Elam School of Fine Arts this weekend, that's just what will happen.

On Friday 10 November, Elam will kick off its Open Days 2006, a weekend-long art extravaganza comprising portfolio selections from the school's final year undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, sound works, design and multimedia interactive projects, the exhibition is a chance to celebrate the talent of some of the country's most promising and acclaimed emergent artists. In addition to friends and families of the students, some of New Zealand's best-known art dealers, collectors and curators will be in attendance, many of whom will be keen to explore the artistic endeavours born of the country's most prominent tertiary art school. More than just an opportunity to show off creative talent, Elam Open Days offers students the chance to meet, network with and even sell their art to the movers and shakers of New Zealand's arts community.

"Students from Elam's Master of Fine Arts, Postgraduate Diploma and Bachelor of Fine Arts programmes are among the countries top artistic talents," says Associate Professor Derrick Cherrie, Head of Elam, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI). "We are particularly delighted so many practicing artists have chosen Elam as the right place to return to their studies and further explore the theoretical and practical underpinnings of their art. The Elam Open Days epitomise just how much even established artists can gain from postgraduate study."

Image: Todd Stratton BFA