Creative Community Funding

We are pleased to announce that Gift of Art Gallery has been granted funds to provide free art lessons to children in need, term one 2009. (special conditions apply)
Keep posted for more information nearer the time.

Amanda Cass

Amanda Cass is an emerging artist who lives in Melborough and has a passion for art and photography.

This series of heart balloons is a quirky series about a girl who sees love in everything she does and everywhere she goes....her spirit is free and she sees the beauty in the tiniest things. She travels on her balloon far and wide, she loves the freedom of the wind blowing in her hair. She likes to surround herself with animals and love, the birds are her friends and her constant companions-they like to help her on her journey...where ever that may lead....

( A J Cass)

'My heart is captured' Amanda Cass

760 x 380 x35mm

For Sale $280

'Some kind of wonderful' Amanda Cass
760 x 380 x 35mm

$280-00 SOLD

Keith Moyes-Sculpture

'Family' Oamaru stone $280

Displayed under 'Luminous blue' Rachel van Soest $300

For sale 'Lady in the moon' POA
Beautiful Oamaru stone carving by local sculptor Keith Moyes. Exceptionally high quality work, beautifully finished and sealed for indoor/outdoor use. Keith and son Justin both work from their home in Belfast CHCH with the inspiration and support of Keith's lovely wife Chris. Commissions welcome. Please contact the gallery for contact information.

For Sale

'Family' By Keith Moyes

commissions welcomed

Gift of Art supports a.r.t Gallery in Motueka

Congratulations to Melissa & Simon, best of luck with the new Gallery and framing business.

'Abstract painting workshop'

Abstract painting workshop with Tutor Marie Smuts-Kennedy. 5 attented and it proved to be a very successful and fun workshop.

Keep posted for the next one.

Maire's example painting-Biomorphic abstractism. The artist's chose objects from nature for inspiration using repetition of form, shape and pattern.

Pam Buffery

Kirsty Black

Gallery photos taken after the opening

Photos taken about 9pm after a very sucessful night! There was barely move to breath at one point with atleast 60 people in the Gallery. A photographer came from the 'Southern view' and took smiling faces in front of gorgeous art photos. There were two sales of artworks to

Linelle Stacey & Tania Verrent and a commission for Andy Elliot-congratulations to you three!.

Shelly sold 3 vintage button necklaces :) The painting above the door is Tania's that sold.

Update-sunday: I just had a follow up phone sale- a buyer for Amanda Cass-congratulations!

Everyone commented on the very high standard of the art, and were most impressed by the variety of different styles and subject matter. We hung the artworks next to those that would compliment each other, this worked really well and every piece looked like it was ment to be there. The walls flowed beautifully and all the artworks were stunning-something for everyone.

Art raffle painting by Linelle Stacey $2 per ticket

The top left painting in this image is Linelle's that sold
Thank you very much to all the Artists and friends that helped. Without all of you this could never have happened.......love to you all :)

Advertising

Advertismet featuring in the STAR and four Local community papers 2 weeks before opening.

'Southern View' Newspaper Interview

Click on image to enlarge it to read :)

Some Art for the Walls!

Flow In 'Tu'

Flow In 'Cass & Ra' (left) 'Industrial Meditation'-diptich

Flow In 'cass & Ra' (left) 'Industrial Meditation' Detail

Andy Elliot 'Cape saunders macrocarpa' $300

SOLD

Andy Elliot 'Pohara beach manuka' $300

Andy Elliot 'Stewart island rimu' $380 summer sale special

Flow In 'Nine Annular'

Tania Verrent SOLD

'Kiwi Icons' Tania Verrent SOLD

'Gentral gold' Marimba Powley

'Manchild' Marimba Powley

'Childs eye view' Marimba Powley SOLD

Gift of Art Gallery-My dream come true!

24th sept Some lovely resene paint on the walls & our flag

Here she is....'Gift of Art Gallery' 239b Colombo Street Beckenham Christchurch NZ

Keep posted to see the trasformation!

before photo

Hi my name is Shelly van Soest. I am a full-time mother and part-time Artist mainly painting in acrylic mixed media. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and a Diploma of Secondary Teaching in Art & Photography. Click here to view my artwork blog http://www.shellyvansoestartist.blogspot.com/

Well I have done it.... I have signed my life away, well for 12 months anyway. It's scarey & exciting. I have been overwhelmed by the number of Artists that are interested and the support from everyone.

For the last few years I have dreamt of owning/running a 100% Artist friendly Gallery.

Alot of Artists I have spoken too find some parts of the artworld challenging and off putting. I myself am not comfortable approaching Galleries with regards to my own work, yet I am the complete opposite when I think of this venture.

Gift of Art Gallery is going to be run just like a regular Gallery with beautiful artworks by very talented emerging new Zealand Artists. The difference is that this is an opportunity for the Artists to recieve 100% for there efforts and market themselves, rather than give their work to someone else who puts it on a wall and takes 50%.

Some Artists will benefit by learning how to exhibit (for those who have not before) and receive advice and information about other ways of marketing their Artwork. Some Artists have more experience than others in different areas, so we will help each other-give advice and sell work at the same time.

Local Artists will be asked to help run the Gallery if they can, this will give great experience in learning to talk about their work and technique/style/inspiration also learn about other Artist's work, and running a business.

Out of town Artists are invited to join also, they will be asked to pay a small Gallery fee to help with the extra running costs.

Artists pay an annual fee to become a member of the Gallery (non refundable) there is then an exhibiting fee per Artwork so when a piece is sold the Artist receives the full amount!.

Think of it this way, sell one or two works and your fees are paid for the year, then the rest of your sales are directly into your pocket.

The other reason I wanted this space is so I can set up a Trust to provide FREE Art lessons for children with illness, disability or unhappy circumstances. the space will be a Gallery primarily but there is space for a table and chairs to teach a small group (up to six).

This will be provided after school hours or in the weekends and will begin term one 2009

Please email us if you know of a child in Christchurch that could benefit from some creative fun!.

Keep in touch with us, exhibiting Artist website links will be added soon and photos of the Gallery as we re-decorate and get some art on the walls.

Please contact me at gift-of-art@hotmail.com or phone 033316400 if you would like more information.

Shelly :)

YOUR INVITED....PASS IT ON!

Artwork-'Candy cane' by Kirsty Black

MORE NEWS!

We have decided to run Adult art classes from the Gallery.

The first Workshop is going to be on Sat October 11th 10-12pm 12.30-2.30pm

'Abstract painting' with fellow Artist & Tutor Marie Smutts-Kennedy

Marie has a B.F.A and Diploma of Teaching and is an amazing Artist.

Hurry book now if you are interested....limited spaces available.

$45 inc materials.

We will be offering more workshops and classes in the future:

Life Drawing

Drawing

Mixed media Painting

Keep posted for more information.