SKYCITY Lights Up Lopdell House Gallery

Media Release
11 October 2007

SKYCITY Lights Up Lopdell House Gallery

A $21,000 SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust grant is lighting up Lopdell House Gallery by funding a new and improved lighting system to better highlight the range of exhibitions showcased at the popular Titirangi gallery.

Lopdell House Gallery Manager Lesley Smith says the gallery, which pays homage to NZ Contemporary art, has been in operation for over 20 years and the lighting has not been updated since it opened.

"The gallery's lighting fixtures and fittings have become obsolete meaning it was a challenge every time a light would die as it couldn't be replaced. We ended up with layers of lights on an old tracking system as well as fluorescent lights that were an overhang from the building's previous life.

"The new lighting will truly make a tremendous difference to the gallery - we are very grateful to the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust for their support".

West Auckland electrician John van Wyngaarden has been the gallery electrician since day one and says he is "over the moon" with the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust grant. "I'm over the moon with the new lighting system at Lopdell House as it will allow greater flexibility when setting up new exhibitions.

"Although it was a bit of a laugh when I started investigating other galleries to get ideas on lighting systems. The security officers weren't too happy with my interest in their ceilings - I'm sure they thought I was scoping the building for security cameras," says John.

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust Chairman, Jock Irvine says the Trust was pleased to assist the Lopdell House Gallery in their mission to provide Waitakere City with a first class art gallery.

"Lighting plays a key role in a visitor's ability to perceive and enjoy the gallery so the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust was delighted to fund the new lighting system for the 35,000 people that enjoy the gallery every year." The new lighting will be installed in time for the next exhibition - Portage Ceramic Awards 2007. The Portage Ceramic Awards is the largest, most prestigious ceramic awards in New Zealand and the 43 works will be showcased at Lopdell House from 12 October - 2 December 2007.

The gallery is open daily from 10am - 4.30pm and is free to the public.

For more information on the Lopdell House Gallery visit www.lopdell.org.nz

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