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PRESS RELEASE: “ANOTHER FRONTIER” – SPACE STUDIO AND GALLERY ON THE MOVE FOR 2020
Space Studio and Gallery owner and curator, Sarah Williams, and her business partner Jon Williams, are excited to announce that Space is on the move again. Similarly to the move earlier this year, it is only to the building next door. Whanganui folk will be pleased to know that this time it is to a more permanent location as they have purchased the property at 18 St Hill Street. The 1907 building was the original home of the Dalgety and Company warehouse and head office. Sarah and Jon were drawn to the scale of the interior spaces, with its semi-industrial vibe it is well suited to a new function as a gallery and studio space, and provides scope for a range of other business activities. The purchase enables Space to consolidate its business model, and to provide more opportunities for growth and development.
Jon has lived in Christchurch for many years and following on from the earthquakes has observed first-hand how important heritage buildings are to our unique history. The opportunity to purchase and renovate one in the Old Town Precinct right here in Whanganui was too good to miss. With over thirty years of experience as a commercial and industrial engineer, and now as an architectural designer, this expertise enables Jon to play a hands-on role in the renovation of the building. Jon is by no means a stranger to Whanganui, having worked here in the past, and in more recent years supporting daughter Sarah by becoming a business partner in Space. They have learned a lot from the recent move to 66 Taupo Quay which involved an interior renovation as well as an expansion of the exhibition programme and events activities.
The business model has enabled greater opportunities for nationwide promotion with continued development of the Space Studio and Gallery website and social media platforms which have performed increasingly well. “Space continues to showcase Whanganui artists nationally, enabling us to provide locals with the opportunity to interact with artists, as well as ensuring that a wider audience can engage with the talent that exists here. Developing our events programme has been exciting, and the new venue offers us even more dynamic possibilities”, Sarah says.
The exhibition programme will kick off in early February next year. Expressions of interest for exhibitions and pop-up shows are available now and Sarah invites interested artists to make bookings. The studio spaces for artists will continue, with a move to the new location later this year. Enquiries for studio spaces are welcome as there are a couple of spots available. Sarah and Jon take this opportunity to thank the entire community for their ongoing belief in Space, and would particularly like to thank their studio and exhibition artists, as well as their regular visitors for their support with the bigger and better venue this year. Whilst they remain committed to the continued growth of the business, they also have an aspiration to encourage other people to purchase and restore our unique heritage buildings. “Our hope is that when people see this space alive that it might inspire others to utilise heritage spaces that the whole community can benefit from”.
To enquire about exhibition or studio opportunities contact Sarah on sarah@spacestudiogallery.co.nz