Four local Bay of Plenty artists have collaborated to present an exhibition of their work at The People’s Gallery at the Historic Village.

Friday afternoon and I’m on my way to Toi Ohomai but I can’t resist calling in to the Historic Village and The People’s Gallery. There’s soft classical music backgrounding the high-ceilinged art space and Sue MacDougall as vibrant as her own art work overseeing the afternoon.

There are four different styles on show. Jenn Brotherton’s work has a sea and environmental focus. The image of the low tide rocks immediately takes me back to days like this on the beach peering into the small pools for tiny and unsuspecting marine life. An overseas visitor has spent a considerable amount of time observing another of Jenn’s green-tinged expressions but a purchase does not eventuate. Suzy Cels has a group of precisely outlined and coloured images of birds and the contemporary version of the hallway antlers. I prefer Suzy’s kinder approach to their residential inclusion. Artist Melody from rural Omokoroa is described as a “floral artist” and there are a number of very pretty and attractive floral-themed images. Sue MacDougall describes herself as “a colourist” and certainly her work combines hot Mediterranean pinks and cerise in floral abundance.

Sue tells me she has been very pleased with the number of visitors to the exhibition at the gallery. She also tells me she has spent a significant time living in Greece before returning to New Zealand. Sue organises and leads art and cooking tours. So if you’re travelling in Europe in 2020 this might be something you want to include – you’ll get the real local vibe.

Apologies for publishing at the end of this weekend – busy time practising my korero for tomorrow’s te reo Maori assessment.

You’ll find information about The People’s Gallery here https://www.theincubator.co.nz/the-peoples-gallery

You can contact:

Jen Brotherton at jennandianbro@gmail.com Suzy Cels at suzycels@gmail.com

Melody Floral Artist at melodyfloralartist@gmail.com Sue MacDougall at kiwisuemac@gmail.com

Passion with Paint at The People’s Gallery until 26th November 2019

Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current Managing Editor of ARTbop. Rosemary has arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland. She has been a working lawyer and has participated in a wide variety of community activities where information gathering, submission writing, community advocacy and education have been involved. Interested in all forms of the arts since childhood Rosemary is focused on further developing and expanding multi-media ARTbop as the magazine for all the creative arts in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.