Are we there yet? ‘35km Road Trip’ paves the path for a new kind of art exhibition

The Little Gallery brought an adventurous twist to art exhibitions with ‘35km Road Trip’, which opened last Saturday 21 April. The event was a resounding success, with visitors travelling from all around Auckland, Tauranga, Waikato and the Coromandel to experience the highly anticipated one-of-a-kind group exhibition.

The exhibition’s concept, conceived by gallery owner Sarah Holden, was designed to celebrate the relationship between the two branches of The Little Gallery in Tairua and Whangamata. Commemorating the distance between the galleries, with ‘35km Road Trip’ Holden sought to bring a multi-faceted, interactive dimension to experiencing and enjoying art.

Each gallery presented 35 new artworks by their respective local artists, portraying the personalities of each destination and celebrating the diversity of talent in The Little Gallery’s stable of artists.

Visitors were offered specially designed maps and encouraged to make the scenic half-hour drive between the two galleries to enjoy a second display of new artworks. Many of the gallery’s artists also attended the exhibitions, enabling visitors the opportunity to meet the makers and hear first-hand stories about their new artwork.

Abstract artist Kirsty Black travelled from Auckland to attend both shows, where she is exhibiting two new large-scale paintings. ‘I’ve loved meeting some of the other artists of The Little Gallery as well as the local art lovers in the Coromandel,’ says Kirsty. ‘As I’m based in Auckland it’s not something I get a chance to do very often,’ she says.

Since opening The Little Gallery’s second branch in Whangamata in November 2017, Sarah Holden has wanted to try something different with the gallery’s public programme and strengthen their relationship with the local community. ‘It was so fantastic to see our clients and visitors engaging so enthusiastically with the interactive dimension of the show,’ Holden says. ‘Our artists were thrilled to receive so many compliments on their new work and we’re very proud of the standard of this new exhibition. It’s definitely worth making the journey for!’ she says.

‘35km Road Trip’ remains on show at The Little Gallery Tairua and Whangamata for several more weeks – make your own journey today!

The Little Gallery Tairua
228 Main Road, Tairua 3508 | (07) 864 7204

The Little Gallery Whangamata
Shop 3, 427 Port Road, Whangamata 3620 | (07) 865 6922

Check out their website for more details.