Historic prints grace galleria

Council community arts advisor Marc Spijkerbosch shows mayor Steve Chadwick one of the old photos featuring Lake Road.

Fourteen large-framed prints of early Rotorua will grace the Rotorua Lakes Council galleria for the next three months.

The latest exhibition will match the historic pictures with modern prints alongside to cross-reference.

The exhibition, the third in the revamped Civic Centre Galleria, is called "Our Town - from plates to pixels - a portrait of change" and is the brainchild of council community arts advisor Marc Spijkerbosch.

It replaces the exhibition which featured The Ancient Arts of China which was a collection of official gifts and artworks the council received from Chinese delegations, associations and visiting dignitaries over the years.

The first, Large vs Small, opened early last year and featured works from five local artists: Debbie Thyn, Martyn Evans, Kristina Joyce, Bridget Thornton and Sarah Zeissen.

The 14 old prints on display are from the Rotorua Museum collection.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, who champions the use of the galleria, said it provided a wonderful connection between the council, the arts and wider community and breathed new life into a once austere space.

Among the first to see the exhibition, which opened yesterday, were delegates to a Sister Cities regional focus group in the debating chamber.

Hutt City mayor Ray Wallace was most impressed with the galleria space and said it was "stunning".

Pictures feature:

South east corner of Hinemoa and Tutanekai St c1960
South on Tutanekai St with Lakefront Reserve
North on Tutanekai St c1936
Lake Rd looking west c1905
Old Public Trust Office
Government Gardens entrance c1890
Arawa St looking west from Fenton c1905
Lake Rd and Tutanekai St junction
Hinemoa St looking east c1930
Tutanekai St near Eruera St Junction c1928
Hinemoa St between Tutanekai and Fenton St 1890
Ranolf St towards Kuirau Park from hospital c1900
Tutanekai St from Arawa Junction with Palace Hotel c1905