New gallery pops up

Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo, left, and the artist behind the initiative, Alex Wilkinson. Photo: Viv Posselt

Artists linked to Te Awamutu’s disability provider Enrich Plus and others from around the region have a new space to market their work.

Last Friday saw the opening of what is being called the Waipā Creative Conduit. About 40 people were in attendance and several more came through the doors the following day for the public opening.

The community pop-up gallery inside the Teasdale Street Enrich Plus building is intended as a three-month display and selling space aimed at helping participating artists maximise their returns and establish new links.

From now until June 30, the gallery will be open to the public between noon and 6pm from Tuesdays to Fridays, and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays, selling paintings, prints and photographs, jewellery, ceramics and other handcrafts.

Kihikihi ceramic artist Alex Wilkinson teamed up with Enrich Plus to initiate the project, hoping the gallery will help connect the artists with both the disability community and the wider public.

At the opening: From left, Angela George, Julie South (Norfolk Island) and her sister Sue Gordon – from Rosebank Art Centre, Te Awamutu. Photo: Enrich+.

“Our main goal is to empower people to be creative and artists to build skills and connections for collaboration and sustainable incomes,” she said.

“We’ve had lots of positive feedback from the opening including lots of excitement for the creative classes and lots of artwork sold,” said Alex.

Already $1000 has been paid to local artists from the project.

Enrich Plus supports those with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities to develop skills that enable them to lead lives that are as near-normal as possible.  Twenty-six Enrich Plus artists are currently involved in art and craft sessions in Te Awamutu, and five in Taumarunui.

The gallery space was already being used to display artwork by Enrich Plus artists engaged in the provider’s Supported Activities and Supported Employment programmes.  This new endeavour expands that with more space and now includes the work of artists from further afield.

Gallery manager Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo said the pieces on display will be changed regularly to keep the exhibits fresh.  They will be sold on a ‘cash and carry’ basis with the gallery taking only a 10 percent commission she said, significantly less than the 40 percent commission which tends to be the industry standard.

The gallery will also offer workshops through which artists can share their skills and hold regular panel discussions.

The Waipā Creative Conduit secured funding of $19,960 from Creative New Zealand’s Creative Communities Scheme, which is administered by Waipā District Council.

• Read: Waipa Creative Conduit opening.
• The online version was updated after The News went to press.