Up to 200 people turned out for the opening of Paihia's fist dedicated art gallery in years.
Ipipiri Art has been operating in a former electrical appliances store on Williams Rd since April but held its formal opening on June 2, coinciding with the launch of its Winter Celebrations exhibition.
All the artists involved in the show were present - painter Chris Wilkie of Kaikohe (currently teaching art at Northland College), Opua painter Peter Geekie, ceramic artist Bernie Winkels (artist in residence at NorthTec in Kerikeri), Paihia florist Ivy Wright and members of the Bay of Islands Painting Group.
Ipipiri Art trustee Jeanie Mobley said the opening had been well received, with many of the guests saying how much they had enjoyed themselves.
