For the last 12 years this fun evening, where you can acquire a work of art for a set price of $650, has been held in the foyer of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery or Christchurch Art Gallery. With the Gallery still closed, the organisers have gone off-site this year, to Chambers @241, the new hub of contemporary art in Moorhouse Avenue. 30 artists have contributed work, making this is a bumper year for anyone wanting to buy art from some of the best New Zealand artists.

The Art Event is a night with a difference. All the works are set at one price and on the night people put their names into the box beside the work – the lucky person whose name is drawn out of the box at the end of the evening can buy the work. Over the years many people have begun or extended their collections from this unique way of purchasing art, while the Friends have assisted the Gallery with the purchase of some significant contemporary works for the collection from funds raised at the event.

Marianne Hargreaves, from the organising committee, says: 'The event started originally as an idea for the Friends to raise money to buy something different for the collection when the new Christchurch Art Gallery opened in 2004. That money went towards the commissioning of the Jim Speers work in the Oriel Window overlooking Worcester Boulevard, and in subsequent years the Gallery has added to the collection with works by significant contemporary New Zealand artists. We felt that this year it was even more important that we worked to raise funds for the Gallery, to allow them to continue to buy current works ready for when it reopens.'

Artists taking part include: Billy Apple, Hannah and Aaron Beehre, Graham Bennett, Tony Bond, Jan Chaffey, Bing Dawe, Tony de Lautour, Simon Edwards, Edwards + Johann, Ross Gray, Jason Greig, Sarah Hillary, Paul Johns, Marie Le Lievre, Cheryl Lucas, Annabel Menzies-Joyce, Elizabeth Moyle, Brenda Nightingale, John Parker, Kim Pieters, Ben Reid, Rosa Scott, Grant Takle, Sandra Thomson, Tim Veling, Chris Weaver and Jane Zusters

Chambers@241 gallery will be open for viewing the works on Friday 2 December from 11am to 5.30pm and on Saturday 3 December from 10am until 2pm. All proceeds go towards the acquisition of contemporary art works by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu.

The Art Event Saturday 3 December, 6.30pm

Chambers@241, 241 Moorhouse Ave

Tickets $50

Further information available from: mariannehargreaves@gmail.com; 027 2298741