Morrinsville’s Wallace Gallery is hosting two exhibitions of the works of Waikato artists in July.

‘Look This Way’, is the name of the exhibition by  Art Nexus, a collective of Waikato artists.

The 14th exhibition by Art Nexus, a collective of Waikato artists, is called ‘Look This Way’, and features paintings by 20 artists, on show until July 29.

The second exhibition ‘Venturing Forth’ in the community gallery is from another Waikato art group, Art Venture. It runs until July 15.

Gallery director Leah Murphy says the exhibitions feature artists from all walks from life and all paintings will be for sale.

“For the artists, who can often feel isolated working alone in their own studios, this is a great opportunity to come together to exhibit their work.”

This month the gallery also changes the works on display from the Wallace collection.
“These pieces are not for sale but are an opportunity to see some of the works in the 6000 piece collection.”

Called ‘Double Take’ the exhibition features a number of remarkable double portraits – works in which two people are portrayed, from the James Wallace Arts Trust Collection.
It runs until September 7.

‘Double Take’  features a number portraits from the James Wallace Arts Trust Collection.

Leah says the gallery has a strong community focus, especially for school students.

“We host between 5000 and 6000 students a year.

“They exhibit their work, attend workshops, study art, take part in art meditation and encourage their parents to come along, which is excellent.”

The gallery is housed in the Old Post Office building on Morrinsville’s main street, which was secured for the gallery location in 2009.

Since then the gallery trust has carried out extensive renovation, thanks to fundraising and generous community pledges.

The gallery is a community project in partnership with the Matamata Piako District Council and The James Wallace Arts Trust.

It has the support of art patron James Wallace, who has pledged the rights to exhibit, on rotation, the entire James Wallace Arts Trust collection in the Morrinsville location.

The collection is described as the most comprehensive collection of contemporary New Zealand art in existence and now has more than 6000 pieces valued at more than $50 million, spanning 50 years.

To find out more, go to www.wallace.co.nz