Kaiapoi Little Gallery is the brainchild of Heather Hall and she has been joined in the venture by Marion Collin.
Both artists live in Kaiapoi.
Earlier this year Heather recognised the need for a public space to showcase the many talented artists in Kaiapoi who don't have enough artwork for a solo show in one of Waimakariri's bigger galleries.
‘‘There are so many artists out there with nowhere to display their work,’’ Heather says.
The gallery, which is upstairs in the Kaiapoi Arcade, opened in February this year.
Quite a few paintings have already been sold and there have been visitors to the gallery every day since it opened.
Kaiapoi Little Gallery “provides a chance for Waimakariri artists to showcase their work and for people to buy original artwork at affordable prices," the women say.
Heather is an experienced artist in several mediums, whose current focus is on soft pastels. Marion is a water colourist but she is currently working on 2D (two dimensional) needle felting in wool.
‘‘We have both exhibited at the Kaiapoi Art Expo and the Rangiora Art Society exhibitions,’’ Marion says.
The women are also both holding workshops at the Kaiapoi Little Gallery in their respective fields.
They have their own work on display in the gallery alongside Kaiapoi artist and sign writer Mark Larsen, “and other locals" Lesley Reeves, Marta Tymienirck, Amanda Wium, Karen McDonald and Cara Hall.
‘‘We hope the gallery will become a welcoming place for people to browse art work and appreciate the great talent that abounds in Waimakariri,’’ they say.
“Creating and viewing art is a wonderful world where the busyness (of everyday life) quietens and there is the chance to focus on expression and technique.
‘‘It is highly therapeutic.’’
- Kaiapoi Little Gallery is open from Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm or you can email Heather at: kaiapoilittlegallery@gmail.com for an appointment or more information about the gallery.
