Brainy Beanie exhibition opens in Hamilton

The second Brainy Beanie Exhibition has opened in Kirikiriroa Hamilton to mark the start of Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Brain Tumour Support NZ trustee Sarah Gibb launched the annual fundraiser at a function for creators and invited guests on Wednesday 3rd May.

The 2023 exhibition features beanies created by some of Aotearoa’s best crafters and artisans who have donated their creations to the Brainy Beanies campaign. Every beanie on display is available for purchase, and thereafter from the Brain Tumour Support NZ website. All sale proceeds go towards providing vital support services to brain tumour patients and their loved ones.

Waikato District Council Mayor, Jacqui Church, attended the opening function and ended up purchasing three Brainy Beanies. “Happily, and by coincidence, unbeknown to me, two were made by one of our own Council community staff members who has in her own time been supporting the [Brain Tumour Support] Trust. Come along - all are welcome to see, admire and also purchase these sensational, very well priced and affordable creations,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

Brain Tumour Support NZ chair, Chris Tse, addressed the audience via a video-conference link. He commented that Brainy Beanies not only earned much needed funds for the Trust’s Brain Box programme but was importantly raising awareness about brain tumours in the wider community.

Ruby Bathan, the daughter of Brain Tumour Support NZ founder Mandy Bathan, delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech to the audience.

The Brainy Beanie Exhibition at The Nancy Caiger Gallery in the Meteor Theatre runs from 3rd to 7th May 2023.

View photos from the exhibition’s opening night at the link below. A news article on the exhibition can be read here.