Pop up art in Red Square

Fraser Toulmin has organised a pop-up travelling art gallery in a shipping container. Photo/supplied

Art by the people, for the people will be popping up at Red Square during the Tauranga Arts Festival.

Arthouse Revolution is a popup art gallery - held in a shipping container - to give local amateur artists the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in a gallery-type setting.

The community-based art project idea came from photographer and artist Fraser Toulmin, and the art gallery is associated with the opening of Tauranga Arts Festival.

Fraser came up with the idea of a shipping container from the shops and galleries who used them after the Christchurch earthquake.

Fraser says he was concerned about how hard it was for emerging artists to gain exhibition space, and the the costs involved were beyond many.

"Some of our most talented local artists don't have an outlet, or never make it into our galleries because of the costs associated with securing exhibition space.

"Arthouse Revolution aims to make art as freely accessible as possible, and in doing so, grow the profile of our local arts community."

The gallery is a repurposed shipping container which is being painted by local artists Shane Walker, Millie Newitt and Sam Doran to make it stand out even more. It will be in Tauranga's Red Square during the Tauranga Arts Festival (October 19-29) before popping-up in Rotorua.

Fraser received 76 works from 25 different artists from Opotiki to Waihi for consideration.

At least a quarter of all exhibiting artists were aged between 14 and 25. After judging by a panel of local artists and those in the industry, 20 to 30 works are now destined for display.

Fraser says he is more than happy with the standard of the works.

"The calibre is right up there. There are some artists who have exhibited in galleries before.

Some of artists who have sold before may be able to sell their work for $1500." Most art work will sell at reasonable prices, he says.

There are no fees or commission normally associated with traditional galleries. Any artist who successfully sells their work will be asked to make a donation to the project.