Wow, it's been a busy couple of months!
During my solo show called Water | States, I sat there wondering what it would be like to carry on using the same space, that other artists might enjoy the experience I was having too. But, I couldn't afford it on my own - and still can't.
The Gallery - 81 Commercial Rd, Helensville.
Open 10am-4pm.
So I started The Gallery. It works on a four monthly rotation. If I can't make the rent because not enough artists are interested to exhibit, I give the landlord notice at the 3 month point and then wind things up a month later. It's getting to that point now. I need to find interested artists by the 1st November and some of theme need to be close enough, and free enough to help man the gallery some days during their 4 month residency.
It's proving hard to find will people, even though there is so much support for it. Perhaps it's because we live in a small community? I don't know, there are a lot of artists here, and really good ones. Perhaps we all get so busy in life, it's seems a big hurdle to commit to showing work for a length of time?
I'm working on finding out if funding is available, but that would likely mean changing the way the gallery is run. I wish I was wealthy enough to afford the rent on my own and then offer space to artists based on the merit of their work, and not on whether they could afford it too!
Anyway, my work is currently on display, I do rostered shifts, and I've really been enjoying promoting the current three artists, jewellers and potter, so cross fingers the gallery continues! If you read this, and you are interested - feel free to get in touch!
The Gallery - OPEN DAY, 13 October 2012
We are having an open day on our corner. All the shops next to us are filled - a ceramic artist with her studio/workshop is also taking classes there, Gillaz Flowers and Threadz, a really eclectic place! And Johnny Mac's Metal Art Gallery, he hand-makes steel sculpture and furnature. I thought it would be a great idea if we were all open at the same time, so that locals and visitors can check us out easily to see what we regularly have on offer. The local playcentre is going to fundraise with a sausage sizzle and the kids from the local Kaipara Collenge are busking to raise money for their music trip to New York next year. What a buzz!
Artists Den & Art Gallery
My work is going to be on display here (3 pieces at this point) for the Affordable Art Show from the 23rd October to the 18th November. All work for sale is under $1000.
I am putting one entry into the WCCAC art awards. Dropping it off to CEAC this Saturday 29th September. Looking forward to open night - seeing everything on display, finding out what other people are working on!
