ArtBox grows with Lantern Gallery launch

ArtBox grows with Lantern Gallery launch

The ArtBox project is growing. Launched in February with the L-Pavilion, stage 2 of ArtBox opens this 12 Sept with the evocatively named Lantern Gallery, built along the same principles of design and functionality created by F3 Design.

ArtBox is led by CPIT in collaboration with creative industry partners to provide temporary exhibition and retail spaces for the arts community in Christchurch. Located on Madras Street opposite CPIT’s city campus, the project is often cited as an example of the creative temporary collaborations that are bringing life and colour back to the central city.

“We knew the central city needed interesting spaces for making and showing art and in fact the new Lantern Gallery is already in demand with Christchurch Art Gallery and SCAPE Public Art utilising it for a Phil Dadson exhibition at the end of September to January 2014. Plans are afoot to then use the gallery for a series of family-oriented, interactive exhibitions,” ArtBox founder and CPIT Creative Industries Relationship manager Martin Trusttum said.

“The support for this project has been incredible and the enthusiastic response from the arts community and indeed the general public has been that Christchurch needs initiatives like ArtBox to nurture not just the arts but the vibrancy of the central city.”
The L-Pavilion is currently showing The Colour Codes by Helm Ruifrok until 22 September, then a group show by Tracey Osbourne, Ana Cubilana and Michelle de Silva followed by Mark Soltero from 23 October to 18 November.

When completed, ArtBox will have 18 individual modules configured as four separate buildings. The timeframe is five years – long enough to help Christchurch artists get back on feet. F3 Design created a portable, modular design for ArtBox, allowing for flexible use of the 2.9 metre cubes now and future potential as re-fitted, fully code-compliant homes or hospitality and retail venues.

ArtBox supports local employment and is committed to using Cantabrian materials where possible. The project is supported in return by many local businesses, with NZ Steel, the CPIT Foundation, Placemakers Riccarton, Christchurch City Council and Christchurch Art Gallery as major sponsors.

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