Open Doors at Wellington's Arts Centre

Wellington's new creative space will be holding a studio open house for any interested members of the arts community from 5 to 7pm next Friday, 24 June. The studio crawl will include a look at the creative spaces and recent works by Lynn Baird, Amanda Johnson, Isabel Chapman, Lynsie Austin, Sarah Bulleid, Rochelle Stewart-Allen, Dee Guja, and others now based at the new arts centre in Abel Smith Street.
Open Doors at Wellington's Arts Centre

Wellington's new creative space will be holding a studio open house for any interested members of the arts community from 5 to 7pm next Friday, 24 June. The studio crawl will include a look at the creative spaces and recent works by Lynn Baird, Amanda Johnson, Isabel Chapman, Lynsie Austin, Sarah Bulleid, Rochelle Stewart-Allen, Dee Guja, and others now based at the new arts centre in Abel Smith Street.
Studio artist Sarah Mortlock also has a series of new paintings on view in the arts centre gallery through 28 June. A reception will also be held in conjunction with the studio crawl. Please join us after work in the arts centre gallery, and then have a wander up through the above floors.

Sarah Mortlock: Between Absolutes

'Between Absolutes' is a new series of paintings by Wellington-based artist Sarah Mortlock. Created in her studio at the new Wellington Arts Centre, this series investigates the relationship between black, white and grey as intermediaries, culminating in an active performance of recession and projection on the painting surface.

"These works continue my exploration into the process of painting and the properties of acrylic paint," explains Mortlock, who shares her studio with three other emerging artists. "I want to find the limitations of the medium, and bring them into play."

"This body of work has sprung from my space in new Wellington Arts Centre, where I share one of the larger studio's with Lynsie Austin, Sarah Bulleid, and Rochelle Stewart-Allen. We are currently busy working towards a group exhibition for later in the year. And some of us are showing in the upcoming Affordable Arts Show (21 - 24 July)," she said.

"I am relishing the experience of working in the arts centre. The space is very easy and comfortable to work in - with good light, wall space and heating! Having access to the on-site gallery and contact with the other artists and people from other creative industries makes this a really exciting place!"

The first stage of the new Wellington Arts Centre was opened this past April at 61 Abel Smith Street. The entire facility, comprising two former Board of Education buildings in the Te Aro neighbourhood, will be fully completed in late July. The new arts centre comprises a gallery and reception area, 28 artist studios, rehearsal and music rooms, darkroom, project room, community arts workshops, and offices for some of New Zealand's leading arts organisations and cultural producers. To learn more contact Eric Holowacz on 04-385-1929 or arts@wcc.govt.nz.