Arcade art fair a first for business graduate
BY: JOCELYN REIN
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A business-minded art-lover is proving first time's a charm with the creation of a new art event for Karangahape Rd.
On the first Thursday of every month St Kevin’s Arcade will be home to an art fair, featuring visual artists, performers and musicians.
First Thursdays organiser Cleo Barnett held the event for the first time in December and says it was a huge success, with almost 1000 people attending and many stores in the arcade having their best sales ever.
"I want a platform for emerging artists to feel really comfortable showing their work. It’s bridging the gap between street art and gallery spaces."
The Auckland University business undergraduate and art enthusiast first encountered the concept for the art fair in her home town of Seattle where it has been running for 18 years.
"I thought it would fit well into the Auckland scene."
She says the best thing is the variety of people.
"There were DJs, models, photographers, emos."
Electronica group Sola Rosa entertained along with Brazilian dancers and Cleo says more cultural dance groups and live music are planned for this year.
"I really want to add a multicultural, collective feel."
New to Auckland last year, Cleo had no art connections and has had to build the event from the ground up but received an overwhelming response from the community with word of the concept spreading fast.
The number of exhibitors has almost tripled this time around, with 17 artists and 10 crafts stalls and neighbouring cafe Verona and K Rd’s Te Karanga Gallery offering their space as well.
Cleo says it will be as much a social gathering as an art fair and will be followed by an after party at Khuja Lounge on Queen St.
First Thursday returns to St Kevin’s Arcade tomorrow night from 6pm to 9pm and will feature pop-artist Amy Walker, jeweller Miriam Ramos, hip hop inspired band Numbers and more.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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