For the first time in the exhibition’s long-running history — the Aigantighe Art Gallery’s ‘‘Artarama’’ is being held in a new location.
Since its inception in 1979, Artarama — an exhibition dedicated to displaying South Canterbury school-aged children’s artworks — has always been held at the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
This year, with the gallery undergoing accessibility renovations, a pop-up exhibition is being hosted in the old Unichem building at 274 Stafford St.
Aigantighe Art Gallery exhibitions curator Izzy Hillman said it was great to be bringing the exhibition to Timaru’s CBD.
‘‘It’s nice to be bringing . . . The home of the arts in South Canterbury in the Aigantighe to the heart of the CBD.
‘‘Obviously it was out of our control, our lift is under construction, so while we could have opened the house and put art in there, it would have put that construction on hold, which isn’t desirable in this sort of climate.
‘‘I don’t think there’s been any negative responses from anyone. It’s positive that it’s in the CBD and I think it’s going to be a great boost for businesses in the area. We opened in the weekend and had 110 people through on Saturday and 77 on Sunday.’’
She said this year’s exhibition featured more than 400 works from year 1-13 pupils and students across 20 different schools.
‘‘We’ve got a really good range. You can see that the teachers have done a lot of creative out-of-the-box thinking.
‘‘There is a tapa cloth work, which is quite special, little chickens made out of recycled glass and even some felt work.
‘‘They’ve not just stopped at pen and paper or paint.
‘‘We’re very grateful for their participation, we couldn’t do it without them . . .There would be nothing on the wall.’’
Having an exhibition like Artarama was probably more important that it’s ever been, Ms Hillman said.
‘‘With the cutting of art history from the curriculum, this is really the only opportunity that a lot of these kids are going to engage with something like the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
‘‘While we may be in a pop-up here, the concept still remains the same.
‘‘It’s them having their work in a curated exhibition and getting to connect with the idea that their work can be on display.
‘‘I think no matter if a child wins or doesn’t win an award, it’s a really great opportunity for their art to be on display and bring their friends and family along to have some free family fun.’’
She was very thankful to everyone that had helped make the pop up happen.
‘‘We’re very grateful to the shop owner. He offered this place to us at a less-than-commercial rate, and The Exchange for providing us with a lovely donation of money to go towards the rent.
‘‘We’ve also been really greatly supported by Polly Rowe from across the road in just helping us get the space ready.
‘‘We have some great prizes as well that have been sponsored by Rotary Timaru North, the South Canterbury Art Society, the Friends of the Aigantighe, and then the Aigantighe Art Gallery itself has chipped in some art packs as well.’’
The exhibition is free admission and runs until October 12.
It will be open from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon-4pm.
A prizegiving will be held at 1pm on October 12.
