New art gallery launches in Queenstown

A Queenstown-based artist who has built a unique business offering ‘art adventures’ to visitors at the tourism resort is taking the next step by opening her own gallery.

GreenBrown Gallery officially opens its doors on November 30, exhibiting the work of gallery owner Alice Blackley who is well-known in the New Zealand art scene and is also owner, guide and tutor of Art Adventures.

Art Adventures offers small customised group sketching and painting excursions, visiting iconic natural and historical sites in the Queenstown area, and privately guided Artist Studio and Gallery Tours around the district.

It was started two years ago by Ms Blackley who wanted to share the beautiful landscapes of the Wakatipu from the perspective of the artist’s trained eye and encourage people of all artistic levels, from those with no experience to budding professionals.

As excursions are customised and small, clients have time to create their own collection of work. Equipped with their own moleskin diary and sketching equipment, they travel from one scenic destination to the next guided through the processes of everything from basic sketching technique to more detailed paintings.

The range of excursions and tours can include visits to local art galleries, boutique wine tasting, helicopter flights to remote locations or even a cycling adventure with a custom-made sketch pack to fit on bikes, complete with its own handy ‘how to’ guide for drawing bikes, scenery and the odd rabbit.

The new gallery is a logical extension for Ms Blackley, who has been an artist or more than 30 years, exhibiting locally and abroad and as a curator and director of various international galleries and collections.

“Art Adventures showcases the best of Queenstown’s surroundings and features a number of talented tutors who each have their own extensive body of artwork,” said Ms Blackley.

“Following the burgeoning success of Art Adventures, I saw the need to provide a space to showcase works by my tutors to our clients, as well as local and international art lovers.

“GreenBrown is also the first fine art gallery in the Frankton area of Queenstown.”

As well as some of Ms Blackley’s works, the launch exhibition will also feature artist Megan Huffadine, an Art Adventures tutor and Bannockburn-based sculptural artist who has been exhibiting locally and nationally for 20 years. Like Ms Blackley’s paintings, her works ambiguously reference the region, particularly in local flora segmentations, with a strong visual flow between her paintings and sculptural arrangements.

“Megan’s archaeological sculptural works complement my dramatic oil paintings, and with the backdrop of mountains and the lake this inaugural show should provide visitors with an intriguing and highly visual sensory experience of our beautiful surroundings,” said Ms Blackley.

Art supply companies Derwent and Gordon Harris, who provide the supplies in the Art Adventures client packs, are sponsoring the opening exhibition.

After the launch, the gallery will be open by appointment. Future exhibitions by Art Adventures tutors are planned.

For bookings and more information about Art Adventures excursions and tours go to: www.artadventures.co.nz

About Art Adventures

Art Adventures offers high-end customised art excursions in the Wakatipu Basin. Small groups are equipped with art supplies and guided by tutors as they are transported around Queenstown’s scenic natural sites, stopping to sketch, colour and learn. The excursions are suited to at all artistic levels, attracting clients who simply want to view Queenstown from a different perspective to those who want to discover their artistic skills or brush up on existing techniques while enjoying one of New Zealand’s most picturesque destinations. Excursions are from a half day to more extensive three-day adventures. Artist Studio & Gallery Tours include Arrowtown and Queenstown for a half day, and Wanaka and Cromwell for a full day. Both Excursions and Tours operate all year around.

Owner and tutor Alice Blackley, has been a full-time artist for more than 30 years, exhibiting in New Zealand, Chile and the United Kingdom, as well as occupying positions at highly regarded organisations including the James Wallace Arts Trust, the National Portrait Gallery and British Museum in London. She is joined by three other tutors, who are locally based, professional artists with a talent and passion for unleashing the creative skills in others.