New director takes over at gallery

"The Percy Thomson Gallery is really quite unique. It has a lot of input from local artists and receives plenty of community buy-in, at the same time as being highly regarded on a national level. It really is a wonderful creative space."

For new director, Rhonda Bunyan, the Percy Thomson Gallery is an exciting place to be.

"We already have an almost full calendar for 2016, thanks to all the hard work of Maree Wilson ( previous director), and so many great exhibitions planned."

Rhonda is joined by another new staff member, gallery assistant Monique Dodunski.

"This job was perfectly timed for me," says Monique. "I grew up in Stratford and have just finished my degree at Victoria University, so it was the right time to come home."

Monique and Rhonda both bring plenty of knowledge and experience to their roles. Rhonda comes from a journalism background (she previously owned and managed the Stratford Press) and has enjoyed success in recent years with her own art work and photography.

Monique's degree was in Design Innovation, and she says art has always been her passion.

"I went to Stratford High School and loved the art and graphic design classes there. I always knew I wanted to work in this sort of field."

Rhonda has been working on a casual basis at the gallery for the past few years, and says the timing is right for her now to step into the directors role.

"I have worked with two directors here in my time, and they have certainly left big shoes for me to fill."

Rhonda says taking over from Maree has been a pleasant transition, as she is still there offering advice and guidance. "I have loved getting to know the artists and the gallery patrons over the past few years. It really is all about the people, so I am still going to work some weekends as well as weekdays to ensure I get to meet all the different visitors here."

For Maree, who has stepped down from the role to concentrate on her own art, handing the reins over to Rhonda means knowing she is leaving the gallery in good hands.

"I have absolutely loved my time here and I look forward to exhibiting my own work here in the future. Rhonda has made it easy for me to leave as I know how well she going to care for the gallery and the artists who exhibit here."

Rhonda says they have been sad to farewell both Maree and Caroline Bennett, the gallery assistant before she moved to Hawkes Bay. "Everyone here has built wonderful relationships with the community and it is thanks to their work that the gallery is such a success. "

Both Rhonda and Monique are excited about the future exhibits planned for the gallery. "We have some national travelling exhibitions coming, which will be fantastic to see, and then Monique will be in charge of the next youth challenge we do. It will be great for her to make that her project and we are both looking forward to seeing what comes in."

Monique says she is looking forward to working with her former high school art teacher when it comes to events such as the youth challenge, as she has fond memories of entering competitions herself when she was at school.

With a new exhibition about to open at the gallery, Rhonda says it is a great time to call in and enjoy some world-class artwork in Stratford.