Katikati artist Birgitt Shannon tells ARTbop about the recent developments at the Waihi Artmarket…..
I’ve recently visited Artmarket in Waihi and had a chat with the new owner Glynis Taylor. Glynis managed Artmarket in a sole charge position for 17 months and when it came up for sale she jumped at the opportunity to buy it. She took over as the new owner on 1st June this year, is very obviously passionate about the historic building, the art it contains and the township of Waihi.
Glynis told me she grew up in Waihi and has lived in Waihi on & off since 1972.
“I come from a large family of talented artists spread across NZ so it’s in my blood,” she said. “It’s extremely important to me that I give the local people what they want including sourcing high quality but affordable products made locally so they feel good about shopping for gifts & art here. Artmarket is unique in the fact that 80% of what is here in the shop is sold on consignment for artists, sculptors and craftspeople mostly exclusively, meaning you won’t find it anywhere else. I’m very proud that almost all gifts, souvenirs and artworks are designed and made in NZ and I’m always on the lookout for new and unique artists.”
Glynis will be hosting monthly exhibitions which will be great for local artists. The first of these is an exhibition by local award-winning artist Val Tubman.
Gallery owner Glynis Taylor and artist Val Tubman
Val is renowned for her exquisite florals, landscapes and seascapes having won more than sixty awards over the years.
Val Tubman and her work “The Jetty”
If you would like a chance to win Val’s pastel artwork ‘The Jetty’ pictured above, it is being raffled off at the Artmarket, but you will need to be quick because there are a limited number of tickets and they are selling fast.
Val’s exhibition will run from Monday 3rd July – Friday 21st July 2017.
For more information about Val visit her website www.valtubman.co.nz
Artmarket is located at 65 Seddon Street, Waihi and its hours are:
Winter: 10am-4pm weekdays / 10am-3pm Saturdays / 10am-2pm Sundays.
Summer: 10am-5pm weekdays / 10am-4pm Saturdays / 10am-3pm Sundays
The phone number is 07 863 9010 or you can email Glynis at artmarket2017@gmail.com.
You can also find it on facebook at www.facebook.com/waihi.2017
Text and images by Birgitt Shannon: I was born in Geelong, Australia and moved to Katikati with my husband Gerry in 2013. I started painting at a very young age and in my twenties attended night classes at the Geelong Fine Art School. My art is continually changing, evolving. As I paint the work before me takes on a life of its own and I never know exactly what it’s going to look like when it’s finished. This is the thing about painting that thrills me. I start with a simple idea like pongas and something inside me runs with it. Since arriving in New Zealand circles have featured in most of my work. For me circles are female, soft and spiritual…they are eternal life and love. Over the years I have had many solo and group exhibitions and have sold dozens of paintings in Australia and New Zealand. I was lucky enough to be chosen to paint a cow for the Morrinsville Herd of Cows Street Art Project which is standing outside the Morrinsville Museum. I also painted the large planter pots beside the BNZ Bank in Katikati as part of the 2015 NZ Mural Competition and Arts Festival. Birgitt has sold work to the United States. She has her work on display at the Katikati Medical Centre. All my work can be found on my website www.artbybirgitt.com or you can follow my facebook page at www.facebook.com/artbybirgittnz
Other articles by and about Katikati-based artist Birgitt Shannon can be found in our ARTbop archives
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