Gore’s art community is inching closer to signing off another goal in its multi-stage plan to develop a thriving arts centre of national significance.

On Friday September 11, the East Gore Art Gallery will host a fundraising party and auction, hoping to raise at least $10,000 to finish the art centre’s printmaking and painting studios.

Plans are also in place to hold the auction online, should Covid-19 pandemic restrictions change, preventing a large congregation of people.

Gallery programmes manager Marcella Geddes said items up for grabs included a stunning lithograph by Auckland artist Robert Ellis, Two Paddocks wine and a variety of special packages, including a flight in a Tiger Moth and a weekend in Queenstown. 

The guest auctioneer is local funny man and star of the stage, Brendan Terry.

Mrs Geddes said all proceeds would go towards completing the East Gore Art Centre’s studios. 

“This an exciting development for Southland and one which we hope will become an art centre of regional and national significance,” she said.  

“This should be an entertaining night and lots of fun. There is a wonderful variety of art up for auction with something to suit all tastes.”

The East Gore Art Centre, with art studios to the left of the church and artist’s flat on the right. PHOTO: East Gore Art Gallery

The East Gore Art Gallery purchased an old church several years ago with the intention of creating a thriving art centre where resident artists could stay, create work, hold workshops and become part of the gallery’s exhibition programme.

The flat on one side of the church has been completed and the studios on the other side are very nearly finished, with just some painting, lighting, plumbing and gib stopping to be done.

Mrs Geddes said at least $600,000 has been raised for the project so far, and another $10,000 would allow the last components of the units to be finished.

The auction had originally been planned for April, but had to be postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions at that time.

“I hope it is not going to knock us back again,’’ Mrs Geddes said.

The flat was already being used by artists and the gallery had received a lot of interest from artists about coming to Gore to work and produce art, she said.

The third and final stage of the project – creating a community space in the historic church – is still to come.

Printmaker and painter Robert Ellis lives in Auckland. He was born in Northampton, England in 1929 and studied at Northampton School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London before coming to New Zealand in 1957 to teach at the Elam School of Fine Arts until 1994.

His artwork Arepa/Omeka (1988, lithograph) was made at Muka Studio, which recently donated some historic equipment to the art centre.

Tickets: Cost $45 (includes refreshments and food). Get from the Gore Visitor Centre or email [email protected] or call Marcella Geddes on 027 682 7136.