Displaying diversity

Hannah Harte 

Patreon: HRMNZ @hannah_harte_ 

Finding a gallery to exhibit is daunting for new and emerging artists, especially those who are self-taught like me. Recently, scrolling on Instagram, following various galleries and local artists, I spotted a beautiful building in the heart of Linwood, full of gorgeous works of art. Clicking on the website, I read an open call for local artists for several upcoming group exhibitions and thought, “Why not?” 

Much to my surprise, my pitch was accepted. It is hard to describe how amazing it feels to be included as part of the artistic makeup of Ōtautahi. 

A wonderfully diverse array of works from 14 local artists, including myself, currently call Linwood Arts Eastside Gallery home. First Steps 2023, which has been an annual event for over 25 years, features new works from local artists with a particular openness to those who have not shown anywhere before. 

Community arts development coordinator Liz Bolt’s dedication to the gallery exemplifies the mission statement of “community development via participation in our three creative spaces and artist development through our exhibition programme”, having assembled many exhibitions with evocative titles such as What Are You Looking At? and Brilliant Vibrant Women. 

I met up with Liz to find out more about this wonderful hub of creativity. The building, constructed in 1909, is exceptionally well utilised, containing a main gallery space that doubles as an area for events such as African drumming, dance, and life drawing, a smaller, more permanent exhibition space, and a large room full of art supplies that hosts various extremely affordable or free art classes for children, adults, and families. 

Liz is incredibly warm and friendly, full of passion for her community, and a major figure in the revitalisation of the “inner city East” that has suffered due to earthquakes, social issues, and various economic hardships. 

To Liz, First Steps “encapsulates a micro-community idea, in that we have all these different styles of art on the walls… and yet, if I’ve done my job properly, then they are sitting together, in a kind of harmony. Community, to me, is where a diverse range of people come together with respect for one another. In a way, you have a microcosm of community right on the walls… the community aim (or objective) flourishing and finding realisation.” 

We are incredibly lucky to have such a well-curated, extremely accessible space, bursting with exhibition opportunities in Christchurch, and I, for one, can’t wait to attend some of the exciting classes offered and enjoy many more opening nights full of brilliant artworks from the creative hearts of Ōtautahi’s artists.