Blog Archives

Places and Spaces (cont.....)

29/11/2016

Welcome to my lastest + last blog on the theme: Spaces and Places. Celebrating some of the creative bricks and mortar spaces that stock my textiles amongst other gorgeous products and dig a little deeper to find out what and who make these places so distinct.

I've been talking to the Maddie Gifford, from the CEAC gallery shop, a place very close to my heart as you can imagine. If you have visited the shop you'll agree its one of the best places to buy cards and NZ Art + Design homewares and accessories in West Auckland! If you haven't visited yet, hopefully you will soon.

Hi Maddie, how long have you been in charge of the CEAC'S gallery shop?
I have been at Corbans for eighteen months now, originally beginning as the Curatorial Intern as part of my Honours year studying Art History at the University of Auckland. I have been the Gallery Shop Co-ordinator since January this year, and it has been the perfect role for me while I complete my Masters in Art History.

How would you describe the shop?
Quality not quantity is definitely something that comes to mind! Although we are a small space, the Gallery Shop has a carefully curated range of unique ceramic, glass and textile art pieces. We also have an excellent range of jewellery, books, magazines and cards that make us the perfect space to find a inimitable gift, or a special piece for your own collection. I like to think of the shop as its own gallery space, made better with a more approachable price range than you would find in other art galleries.

Do you have a strict rule about only selling handmade NZ products?
We absolutely have a focus on stocking handmade pieces by New Zealand artists in keeping with our outlook as a Gallery Shop – although like anything, there are a few exceptions like our popular Seedling art packs that children absolutely love. As a general rule, I make sure everything we stock is in keeping with our position as a place that houses a unique and unconventional range of items that cater to a wide range of tastes and creatives.

Where do you think the future of retail is heading in general?
I think that although there are so many mass–produced products and consumerist driven companies accessible to us both online and in our communities, there is a growing appreciation for rarity and the hand-crafted element of the stock that we have in the Gallery Shop. In the future, I think (and hope) that this value for individual creativity and support for local artists will continue to grow and take precedence over the popularity of large, international retail outlets.

Can you name some of your favourite designers and or products that you stock?
The more I am surrounded by all the pieces in the shop and understand the complexity of how each item is made, the harder this is to answer! Some of my favourites are definitely our Love Winter jewellery range by Delwynne Winter, Isaac Katzoff’s Glassform sculptures and of course our Smitten Textile Design cushions by you Katie!

Describe your shop in 3 words
Luminous, tailored and quaint

What do you like the most about working at CEAC?
I absolutely love the sense of history and community that runs through the whole of the Estate as an arts centre. The fact that the shop is located within the Gallery space in the old Corban Homestead gives the shop a very personal feel and a relaxed vibe that is fantastic and calming to work in.
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CEAC gallery shop is open daily 10 - 4.30pm. They also offer free gift wrapping. These photos offer a small glimpse as to whats on offer.
Check the website for more info www.ceac.org.nz or www.facebook.com/Corban.Estate/ Time your visit when the Cafe is open, as you won't be disapointed with their coffee! (Coffee Studio, Tues - Sat 10 - 4.30)

Enjoy, Katie, x

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