By Jessica Rowe
A new creative hub has been set up in Christchurch for artists displaced by the region's quakes.
The majority of the city's studios and galleries crumbled in the earthquakes, forcing many artists to leave Canterbury.
Busy setting up their new studios, seven Canterbury artists have finally been given a space to create.
Victoria Edwards and Ina Johann lost their Bexley studio in the February earthquake and have not been able to find a place to work, until now.
“It was like a new start, it was like help, uno, something to start happening again,” says Ms Johann. “And we were really keen to be here and be part of that so it was all going forward.”
The purpose-built studios are the idea of two art visionaries who have made it their mission to help re-build the city's art community.
Ronal Mottram says artists were leaving town which prompted him to start something immediately, “get some action”. And for his partner in crime, Warren Feeney, it is just that notion at last that something is happening.
“The whole city, the city feels like it is on such a slow speed at the moment.”
The majority of the studios on Manchester Street in the central city collapsed in the earthquake, forcing many artists to leave the region.
For Rosa Scott, the space in Christchurch means she can stay.
And it is just the beginning. Eighteen more studio spaces will be constructed out of shipping containers and are expected to be ready early next year.
3 News