ARTWEEK

Ans Westra, ‘South Auckland’, 1984. Showing at {Suite} during Artweek. Image courtesy of {Suite}

Artweek’s ‘Open Late’ Gallery Tours Extend into Ponsonby

Free guided tours of local galleries during Artweek Auckland will extend further into Ponsonby this year in recognition of its growing presence in the local art landscape.

Artweek Auckland is an annual, week-long festival celebrating the visual arts of T amaki Makaurau, running 10-18 October 2020.

is also a signal of things to come in the area. The gallery tours are hosted by artists and art professionals during ‘Open Late’ events in which select galleries keep their doors open until 8pm and encourage new audiences. The tours run from 6pm on Thursday 15 October and are bookable through Artweek’s website. In keeping with Artweek’s focus on inclusivity, all are welcome, and prior knowledge of art is not required. They run for 60-80 minutes across several galleries, with a short overview enjoy and ask questions.

Visitors can also visit the participating galleries independently, and are encouraged to make a night of it – inviting a friend or a date, for a drink and a bite in the neighbourhood, or to perhaps meet others interested in art. gallery {Suite} on Ponsonby Road. {Suite} has an established gallery space in Wellington’s Cuba Street, and their expansion into Ponsonby

of the space and the current exhibition, and time for attendees to

This year the gallery tours will include Objectspace, {Suite}, Scott Lawrie Gallery and other art and design spaces in Ponsonby, such as Studio One Toi T u and endemicworld.

The tour programme is curated by artist, art writer, educator and consultant Emil McAvoy, who is excited to expand further into Ponsonby.

“We are fortunate to have partnered with the Ponsonby Business Association to grow the gallery tour programme this year, building on the generous foundation of support provided by the Karangahape Road Business Association and Artweek. As part of this expansion we have been able to include more participating art spaces and add to the pool of talented tour guides.

The ‘Open Late’ tours have formerly focussed on the region around Karangahape Road where there is a high concentration of galleries and other art spaces. However, recent years have seen the increasing prominence of Objectspace, new artist run spaces in Ponsonby/Grey Lynn, and earlier this year, the launch of dealer Ponsonby is, of course, a centre for art, design, creativity and culture,” Emil says. “It’s pleasing to reflect that contribution further – we have a number of experienced, informed and engaging guides, and it’s rewarding that the tours can remain free and accessible to a growing public,” adds Emil.  PN

Bookings for the Open Late tours, alongside other tours during the festival, can be made through Artweek Auckland’s website: www.artweek.co.nz

Moniek Schrijer, ‘Money Bags’, 2020. Showing at Objectspace during Artweek in ‘Deadweight Loss: The Value of Making’ featuring Moniek Schrijer, Laurie Steer, Cat Fooks and Micheal McCabe, 1 Aug – 18 Oct 2020. Image: Samuel Hartnett courtesy of Objectspace

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