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Opening Night was great!  We had over 80 people here, so although it was a little cozy, the new gallery and adjoining rooms were really buzzing!  We were able to use the extra space in the gazebo later in the evening when the wind had died down.

Thanks to everyone who came and especially I want to thank some people individually who helped make my special night a success:

Richard Lapthorne (partner, encourager, photographer and helper), Lyn Taylor (fellow New Brighton artist, teacher, encourager, and a volunteering writer and designer of my signs!), Sue Alderman (another New Brighton artist and one who painted with me every Monday during my 100-Day marathon, master encourager and supplier of all her wonderful, fragrant roses), Marlene Howie (sister, fellow artist, supporter and in charge of sales), Brendon Reid (son, builder and alterer of many things that needed doing!), Jacinda Duffy (daughter, supporter and caterer), Melanie Reid (daughter, encourager, helpful art critic and caterer), Karen Chapman (sister, supporter and caterer), Peter Reid (electrician), and Paul Reid, Corin Duffy & Hayden Broker (who all looked after the drinks, and three of my gorgeous young grandsons).  Many guests said that the food and drinks were first class; so thank you very much!

  (L-R) Vivienne Davison (Manager Christchurch Community Arts Council), Lester Davison, Helen Linton (President Christchurch Community Arts Council), and David Sell (Chairman Arts Canterbury)

I felt very honoured to have three well-known GUEST SPEAKERS:

Mojo Mathers - Green MP who officially opened both the Gallery and the Exhibition.  Mojo and I have known each other for years and have the shared passion of caring about our environment and working in our own individual ways to highlight its beauty and the need to protect it for future generations.  Incidentally, we also both care about food safety.

Helen Linton - President of Christchurch Community Arts Council who spoke a little about the Arts Council and kindly mentioned a recent honour that one of my paintings received.

David Sell - Chairman Arts Canterbury who spoke about Canterbury artists and of the need to support them.  He also said some very nice things about my works on display.

  We were cosy inside the main room of my new gallery.

  Later on when we could spread out.  One end of the gazebo once the wind died down.

As you can see from what I've mentioned, a project like this was definitely not an individual effort.  Although I painted the 100 paintings, many people enabled me to do so and to exhibit them afterwards.  I'll include a few more photos when I write my newsletter soon.

You are welcome to come and look and bring some friends with you, as the exhibition is still open from 10am - 4pm daily until the end of November at 158A Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch (there's a bright red marker flag at the gate).  So far I've enjoyed the company of a number of visitors every day since the opening night.

The hard work is over and it's all very rewarding now.  Thank you to everyone involved!

Ruth Reid