Banksy's home in Queenstown
A Queenstown couple believe their art gallery at Frankton's Country Lane is the only one in New Zealand with works by English street artist Banksy on the walls.
Tom Roberts and Chani Caulfield opened The Arts Hole in March as foundation tenants in the School House Studios — the relocated and restored former high school building and arts centre.
Roberts, who, like Banksy, grew up in the English city of Bristol, says he's long had a passion for street/urban art, and is a "huge fan" of Banksy's work.
The gallery also has "harder-to-find works" by other urban artists such as Invader and Blek Le Rat, he says.
"Urban art is pretty under-represented in Queenstown, so we're excited to be able to bring it here."
Roberts spent two years in the resort after emigrating to New Zealand in 2019.
He then lived in Wellington for two years, where he met Caulfield, a school teacher and ceramicist from the United States.
The couple, who're now permanent residents, decided to open The Arts Hole after having the "it's now or never" conversation, he says.
It's been a big step up from their online business of the same name, which they started in 2023 after a "crazy couple of years through the pandemic".
"I was working a high-level corporate operations role, and Chani was a fulltime senior teacher.
"We were both feeling largely underwhelmed, we had busy, stressful jobs and couldn't help but wonder if this was it.
"We wanted to change the direction of our lives, and start our own business, but not just any business, something we loved and were truly passionate about."
Although the online business was "ticking along", it wasn't earning enough to justify their full-time commitment, he says.
"So we had to make a call to either really invest in an online platform, or try and find a gallery space."
They heard about the School House Studios long before it opened, and were impressed by their landlords' support for small, independent businesses.
"They're recycling old buildings, and building something new.
"It's quite different and quirky, a bit more artisan, and a really good vibe."
As well as having Banksys on the walls, The Arts Hole has other original art, prints, ceramics and jewellery.
"We have work to suit every budget.
"We really wanted to create something different, not just with the work we have, but also a place where everyone's welcome, to bring some fun back into it and make art more accessible.
"We love helping new artists with interesting stories and a creative passion."
The couple also works with charities Youthline NZ and Protect Our Winters through the sale of some of their products, he says.
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