Elizabeth Heath
Tobacco Workers 1973
Oil on canvas 730 x 870mm
Gifted by the artist in 1997

This year the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 150th year of encouraging regional development and representing the region's businesses.  To celebrate this important milestone, past Presidents have been invited to select art works from The Suter Art Gallery collection.  For this process, the Presidents assumed their previous or current role as representatives of the Chamber but inevitably, personal memories, biases and taste came into the fold.

The exhibition includes art works which reflect on the history of Nelson and emphasis the significant role of the Chamber in the development of the region.  It also includes personal musings and expressions of pride about the achievements in commerce since the mid-19th century.  Other art works symbolise commercial initiatives and activities that have been of constant concern to the Chamber.  This includes the importance of Nelson Port and related issued - such as roading - in which the Chamber has played an important advocacy role at a local and national level.

From a different perspective, a number of art works reflect the attitude and aspirations of the Chamber - based on the experiences of the President during their term or looking forward to the future.  This conceptual approach reflects the five 'b's' or guiding principles of the Chamber and its activities:

    b connected to Chamber Events
    b heard and give your business a voice
    b fit and maintain a healthy business
    b global and break down the borders
    b ahead with collective buying power

Collectively the exhibition reflects that unique quality of the Chamber - a network of strong willed and exceptional individuals who work together in the interest of citizens and the region foremost.  The emphasis on people and the Nelson region in this exhibition is evidence of that, along with those historical art works that commemorate the humble beginnings of significant and ambitious endeavors.