Maude Heath - Photo credit Robin Dal Din
After the long-awaited multi-million dollar redevelopment of Mahara Gallery (now Toi Mahara), Kapiti art lovers have another reason to get excited. Artel Gallery is returning home.
Owner Maude Heath has decided to relocate her business back to Waikanae village after five years in Otaki. Starting on the first of May, you will find the gallery at 6 Mahara Place, formerly home to Juli Hunter’s eco clothing and homewares store.
“Initially, when Transmission Gully opened, we saw a massive spike in visitor numbers. The reduced travel time encouraged people to come and enjoy a day out, which was great. However, more recently, like many Otaki businesses, we’ve been impacted by the constant disruption of ongoing roadworks in the area.”
“It was a hard decision to make - Otaki has been good to us, but it’s just not sustainable for us here anymore,” says Maude.
Besides local roading issues, many Kiwi businesses are affected by the current economy and are adapting and finding innovative solutions to stay afloat. And Maude, queen of resilience, is no stranger to change, having been involved with Artel for almost 15 years. With several moves under her belt, relocating back to Waikanae is just part of the evolution.
“In 2009, Artel was initially an artists cooperative based in Lindale. The founding members were Ronda Thompson, Val Bartley, Susie Mills, Ruth Blair, and Jill Hemming. I joined them in 2010. I’ve seen Artel evolve over the years, including in 2014 when I turned it into a commercial gallery.”
Artel is renowned for curating one of the largest local art collections, including paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, and jewellery. They’re also entrusted with some of the most beautiful bone carvings and Pounamu. These sacred taonga (treasures) are from around the country, each beautifully presented and with explanations of significance.
“We have a wide range of original artwork from around 90 Kapiti artists, with 100 more from across the country. Whether you want a statement piece, hand-crafted jewellery or a special gift, there’s something in your price range - we even have layby.”
Downsizing dilemmas - we got this!
The new premises in Mahara Place will also become home to Chrissy and Robin, Maude’s Manager and sales assistant. Their biggest challenge is showcasing the artists in a much smaller space. But they already have ideas for keeping the gallery well-stocked and fresh - by regularly rotating the artwork.
“It will be fun fitting everything into a gallery half the size. But even with less space, we’ll continue showcasing the best local and New Zealand-made art.”
Returning home to Waikanae may have been out of necessity, but Maude brings with her a vibrant community of artists who will help breathe life into the area. We’re lucky to have so much going on.
A high-profile public gallery like Toi Mahara with the prestigious Field Collection is a feather in Waikanae’s cap. The council's green light of the Waikanae Library and Community Hub project gives locals renewed hope for Mahara Place. With the return of Artel and more new businesses, the future looks bright.
https://www.facebook.com/ArtelGallery
https://www.artelgallery.net/
https://www.julihunter.com/
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Article & Copyright - Maree Gately (Spread the Word - Strategic Copywriter) on behalf of Kapiti Now.
If you want to discuss an article, email Maree at nzspreadtheword@gmail.com