Spearheaded by owners Melanie and Rex Eade, Eade Gallery is an increasingly popular destination for art lovers around the country.

Their distinctive two-story building in downtown Clyde houses a comfortable, modern-day apartment upstairs with street-level gallery below displaying their extensive collection of New Zealand artworks, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery.

 Melanie is an artist and qualified interior designer and has worked for some of Australasia’s largest retail corporates such as the Westfield Group and AMP as a retail designer.

She put her skills to the test when she designed the gallery building back in 2015.

“We wanted the design to reflect the historic precinct that surrounds the site and to complement the gold mining heritage of Clyde but in a modern context. We were very mindful of how the building was to be constructed with everything needing to be signed off by Heritage New Zealand.”

The concept of a purpose-built gallery space came as a light bulb moment after the couple, who moved to Clyde in 2009 and operated an historic bed and breakfast venture, sold their business.

“Clyde had offered us a change of pace after the burn out of corporate and city living and the bed and breakfast business was a wonderful way to assimilate into small-town life.  During that time, I concentrated on developing my art in the Chic Shed at the rear of the B & B,” says Melanie.

“There was a group of us in the art society that were keen to find an historic location to start an artist’s collective, but we couldn’t find a suitable venue. Then one day Rex and I came across a vacant section in Holloway Street, and I said why don’t we build something here and that kicked the project off.”

Fast forward seven years and Eade Gallery now represents over 40 artists from Central Otago and around New Zealand. The contemporary space is fitted with pull-out art panel storage racks, gallery lighting and underfloor heating and is complemented outside by a sculpture garden.

“It’s a lovely space to work and showcase a range of art and our family of artists truly acknowledge that,” says Melanie. “When they speak at exhibition openings, I am always reminded why we did it – it wasn’t about us – it was about creating a space for their beautiful works.”

With the development of Clyde’s business precinct the town has become an attractive place to live, work and to visit.

“There have been a lot of dynamic changes with the new cycle trails bringing more people into the area,” says Melanie. “Clyde is wonderful for experiencing nature walks, viewing the historic buildings dating back to the gold mining days, enjoying cafés and restaurants as well as quality stores, boutiques and galleries.”