Gretchen Albrecht - DipFA (Hons)

Gretchen Albrecht left Elam School of Fine Arts as the most distinguished student of her year, and has continued her artistic career in this outstanding mould. Her first one-person exhibition, as a twenty-one year old, was opened by Colin McCahon.

To date Gretchen has had over 50 individual exhibitions and over 60 selected group exhibitions both in New Zealand and in prestigious venues abroad. Her commissions are catholic, ranging from banners and backdrops for opera and dance, through private and corporate commissions, to wine labels. She is represented in major art collections both within New Zealand and overseas and has taken a leadership role in promoting New Zealand art internationally.

In her instrumental role of creating opportunities for artists internationally, Gretchen has always been generous in her assistance to younger, yet-to-be-discovered artists. She is pre-eminent in her field as New Zealand's most established and recognised female artist.

Gretchen received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999.