Another Dunedin art gallery is closing - the third in about a year.
Salisbury House Gallery would close permanently on December 20, owners Peter Booth and Lynn Taylor confirmed when contacted yesterday.
It is the third Dunedin gallery to close in just over a year, following the Rosslyn and Peter Rae galleries shutting down last November.
"Unexpected personal pressures mean we cannot continue operating the gallery as we would wish and so, with regret, we close our doors here on December 20," Mr Booth said.
"We're not under any financial pressure or anything. All artists' payments due will be made as per usual. This is not a case of the gallery being in a financial crisis.
"Personal things have cropped up - personal things that are going to be taking my time and focus over the next six months. I just can't give it [the gallery] that time."
The Salisbury House Gallery was originally opened in 2005 in the former Bond St Gallery in Bond St to support and mentor local artists, by providing a commission-free venue and making marketing advice and mentoring available to artists.
The gallery was relocated the following year to an 1870s Smith St villa owned by Mr Booth.
"It's a little sad, because we've put so much time into getting the gallery going. But we're ending on a high note and it has been very successful."
Mr Booth and Ms Taylor plan to establish a website which will promote local artists internationally.
Ms Taylor said it was a difficult decision to close the gallery.
Mr Booth bought the building in 2003 and converted it into a gallery from student flats "which were in a very bad state".
An investment bank which operated on the top floor of the building would be unaffected, he said.
He was unsure what was in store for the ground floor occupied by the gallery.
The gallery would be open Thursday to Saturday for the next tree weeks showing exhibitions by Ewan McDougall, Elizabeth Marshall and Kirsten Wenborn.
The Salisbury House Gallery website would remain active for a year, Mr Booth said.
