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Blue Oyster appoints director
An arts writer who started a gallery for emerging artists has been appointed the new director of Blue Oyster Art Project Space in Dunedin.

Jamie Hanton established The Hype Initiative at Space Gallery, Christchurch, in 2006 with the aim of representing newly-graduated artists, which ran for two years. Since 2006 Hanton has also been an arts reviewer for the Christchurch Press and Art New Zealand, and last year completed an Honours degree in Art History and Theory at the University of Canterbury.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me. The Blue Oyster is in a wonderful position to engage with a broad audience and win new local audiences for art with its programme of innovative contemporary exhibitions. I firmly believe that art should be for everyone and I'm eager to encourage local participation in The Blue Oyster.

"I’m also very much looking forward to moving to Dunedin, which has a reputation as a lively and interesting part of New Zealand’s arts community,” said Hanton.
Blue Oyster Arts Trust Chairman Dr Jonathan Marshall said that the Trustees were very pleased to have secured a director of Hanton’s calibre.

“The previous director, Janine Parkinson, did a great job in building up the public programmes of the gallery and, with Jamie taking over the reins, we are looking forward to consolidating and expanding these. As well as ensuring the Blue Oyster continues to be a place to come and see new art and innovative practice, we want to enhance our reputation for stimulating critical debate, reflection and engagement with the arts amongst the wider community.”

Hanton will start at the gallery in mid January

ENDS

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