Central Otago artist Melanie Eade achieved her long held ambition when she and her husband Rex opened their contemporary art gallery in Clyde in 2018.

“I had a vision for my own gallery where my artworks would sit alongside other local artists from this area and the success of the Eade Gallery has been an amazing journey to date.”

Located in Clyde’s Holloway Street the state-of the-art gallery was designed and purpose built by the couple in 2017. The two-storey building houses their expansive collection of artworks and framing studio in the street level gallery with apartment style living above.

“It wasn’t until we moved to Clyde in 2009 that I truly began to develop as an artist. After joining the Central Otago Art Society we converted what was then our chook shed to the chick shed and that was my studio for four years,” says Melanie.

“My background in fine art, graphic design and retail design strongly influences my mixed media works producing an illustrative style with a print like quality. The use of form, line and perspective is the direct influence of growing up with a father who was an architect.”

Eade Gallery represents a diverse stable of contemporary artists from Central Otago and other regions and displays original paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery and glass art. Now well established the gallery has a high profile amongst art lovers not only in New Zealand but all over the world.

“ The feedback we receive is always so genuine and positive. Our focus has been to offer an inspiring and engaging collection of work that continues to change and evolve,” she says. “During the winter we have many ski visitors venture over to view the gallery who then purchase works that we securely package and freight direct to their homes in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne or anywhere around the world.”

Nigel Wilson, Judy Smith, Philip Beadle, Ester Dexter, Marg Hamilton, Neil Driver and Rachel Hirabayashi are just a few of the well-known artists whose works are on display.

Melanie’s own bright and infusive mixed media works are popular and she enjoys incorporating gallery management with her own artistic endeavours while Rex runs his own professional framing business inhouse.

“I appreciate being able to switch between gallery work and having time to paint my own works whenever it suits,” she says. “Giving 100 per cent attention to art is hugely satisfying and we love this artistic venture and lifestyle we have created in Clyde.”