New artists’ space opens in gallery

Foxton and Beach artists have another place to exhibit their creations.

The SEA Gallery, a brightly painted former haberdashery store at 155 Seabury Avenue opposite the health centre offers a wide variety of creations, from beach art to furniture made from recycled materials, paintings, textiles, drawings, photographs and much more.

The gallery opened at Easter this year and SEA stands for Seabury Exhibiting Artists. The building had changed hands some time before that and the new owner wanted something different in his premises, not just any shop.

“When we opened we had works by seven artists. Now there are 15 of us,” said Sherilyn Bury Vilela. “Every genre is welcome here and the commission is very small.” SEA Gallery is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm. During school holidays there are extra opening hours.

Sherilyn said local poet Rod Davis came up with the idea for the gallery.

He rents the building from the owner and the artists painted the building inside and out and redid the floors, while the owner took care of the roof.

The gallery is planning on holding exhibitions by school students in the near future.

“We would like to be a space where they can exhibit their best work,” said Sherilyn. The exhibition space consist of two bright rooms.

Artworks are on display outside the gallery when it is open, so you cannot miss it.