The Art Cell Gallery, located in the old police station in Helwick St, opened to the public on Wednesday evening. It will remain open every day until at least the end of January, showing artworks, providing space for artists to work, and holding classes for those wanting to learn.
Artist Sonia Richter explained the gallery came together very quickly.
"We’ve all been catching up every month, and at our November meeting we had a big brainstorming session about finding a space together. I’ve always had a vision of creating a space that fosters connections, sensation, and creativity."
"There’s nowhere that really represents Wanaka artists. There’s more and more artists coming here, and we just want to foster that."
"We found out about this place on the first of December. That day, I rang all the artists to see who was in and they all said yes."
The other artists shown in the gallery alongside Ms Richter are Martin Hill, Phillipa Jones, Mara Modlin, Victoria Stevens, Jane Kellahan, Neal Palmer, Stephen Martyn Welch, Alice Herald and Natashia Bartley.
The gallery is only temporary, as the building is due to be demolished in February or March next year.
However, Ms Richter hoped the group would be able to find a permanent home.
"Our dream goal is to find a space we can move into but set up a kind of scheme where we find patrons that invest in us to help cover the rent, and in return we give them artworks."
She had also approached Mount Aspiring College about setting up a scholarship for a pupil going to art school.
She said 10% of sales from the gallery would go towards the scholarship, so she encouraged the community to get behind it.
"If we get people to help with this [gallery] then we can help the kids get inspired and go to school."
"We need everyone to come and buy art so we can give them a really good scholarship."
Principal Wayne Bosley was unavailable for comment.
