Artists from across the top of the South Island will be enticing gallery owners to form a relationship with them at the inaugural Top of the South Arts Expo to be held in Nelson this May. "We are asking buyers to indicate those artists they would like to meet with and we will schedule a one on one meeting for them", says Arts Marketing chief executive Martin Rodgers. "Basically we are providing a match-making service and we hope to see some long term relationships develop." Artists from across the top of the South Island will be enticing gallery owners to form a relationship with them at the inaugural Top of the South Arts Expo to be held in Nelson this May. "We are asking buyers to indicate those artists they would like to meet with and we will schedule a one on one meeting for them", says Arts Marketing chief executive Martin Rodgers. "Basically we are providing a match-making service and we hope to see some long term relationships develop."The Expo is being run by Arts Marketing in Nelson on behalf of Communication Kawatiri, a partnership between local councils and arts organisations in the region.

"Artists wanting to have their work sold through galleries around the country are faced with the challenge of hitting the road and visiting the galleries one by one", explains Arts Marketing Chief Executive, Martin Rodgers. "The Expo is a collaborative response from our region to that challenge and the feedback from the galleries so far has been very positive. They are telling us that they find it equally difficult to get around the country to see new artists and source work."

A catalogue of the artists participating in the Expo can be viewed online where those interested in attending can then download a registration form to complete. The Expo is also open to others interested in having a commercial relationship with artists including architects, arts leasing businesses and interior designers.

Delegates have until 6 April to register for the Expo at a cost of $100 including GST. The first 25 to do so offered two complimentary nights' accommodation at The Rutherford Hotel.

"We look forward to welcoming delegates from round the country to Nelson for the Expo," says Rodgers. "We are having a networking dinner on the Tuesday evening as a way for the artists and delegates to mix with each other in an informal setting. The whole Expo is about helping to create enduring partnerships and we believe that this is best done by bringing people together face to face."