Northland Society of Arts
Welcome to the home of the Northland Society of Arts. The society owns and operates out of Reyburn House, a category two historic listing and the oldest pioneer settlers house in Whangarei. Nearby, is Riverside Art Studio, where various art classes are held. This Charity based society aims to promote visual art in Northland through exhibitions and training.
Pop into Reyburn House when you are next at the scenic Town Basin in Whangarei to see what exciting exhibition we have up, fall in love with some art.
Exhibitions at Reyburn House change monthly so check back often!
Current Exhibitions
For the next three weeks we have a couple exhibitions from two rather brilliant artists, Kellie Edwards and Sandra Meyst. Both artists show a real understanding of their mediums and gracefully tell us their stories.
KELLIE EDWARDS
“Strength and Freedom”
– Jan 12 – Feb 1
I am a figurative and landscape artist based in Northland producing work in both oils and soft pastels.
Auckland Technical Institute is where I studied Art and Design full time, then took up a scholarship at Auckland Society of Arts majoring in painting. I have won awards in national and international art competitions and this year have been juried an associate member of the Pastel Society of America.
My aim is to create beautiful reminders to prioritise the moments in the everyday that give some lift and nourish our spirits. Moments of awe in the landscape, moments of connection, special quiet moments of reflection and moments celebrating big leaps of faith – all points to remember and treasure.
Art isn’t only a means of expression, it is also a means of exploring and learning. This exhibition “Strength and Freedom” is a collection of pieces predominantly using female figures, fabric and light to express abstract concepts. Created both as personal messages and as encouragement to others, these paintings are intended to inspire the viewer to think compassionately and encouragingly toward themselves.
SANDRA MEYST
“Origins”
– Jan 12 – Feb 1
I’m a Wellington born, Whangarei artist, using sculpture and oil painting to express ideas. I completed the Northtec Visual Arts degree in 2008, majoring in sculpture. I was a finalist in the Objective Art awards 2009. I was a participating artist in Collaborationz 2011, and a participating sculptor in the first two Whangarei Sculpture symposiums. My public sculpture “Parihaka” (2012) is based on the historical Pa sites of Parihaka. It references both a toki (adze) and the profile of the summit. The desire to create a wider narrative steered me from sculpture to painting in 2012. The Origins exhibition includes oil paintings from the last 8 years. The title refers to the journey towards knowing one’s genealogy/ whakapapa and hence belonging.
