A small space in a cluster of studios

26 May 2009
Studio 2 is a small studio space in central Dunedin where people with disabilities are supported to create artworks, and exhibit and sell their work if they wish.

It is one of a network of four studios occupied by artists on the ground floor of an historic building at 82 Bond St in central Dunedin. It was once a tea factory. All of the people who use the building also share a common entry and kitchen space, often used as a gallery for in-house exhibitions by the artists.

Studio 2 operates has two sessions a day from Monday to Friday: 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm. One of the two artist/ supervisors, Bridget Inder and Rachael Gaston, is always present to support artists when the studio is open.

Artists are part of a small group but work on their own individual art projects. Anyone who requires constant one-on-one assistance brings their own support person, who works under the guidance of Bridget or Rachael, who are both graduates from the Otago Polytechnic School of Fine Arts and practising artists.

Interaction opportunities

At the outset, we decided to use a small space in a cluster of studios and to limit numbers to approximately four artists per session. We felt that it was a more normal environment than a large space used only by artists with disabilities. It also gives greater opportunities for interaction with the other artists in the building.

The studio stages several group exhibitions over the course of any given year. Usually one of these will take place during the Dunedin Fringe Festival. This year, the studio staged an outdoor exhibition using recycled election billboards in the Otago Museum Reserve for the duration of the 2009 festival. 

Studio 2 also encourages artists to hold solo exhibitions and to use the studio’s Trade Me site to sell their artwork. The studio has a strict policy that all proceeds from sales of works goes directly to the artist who produced the work. You can view Studio 2's Trademe listings here.

From time to time, the studio assists with other projects such as illustrating the picture book Cats Story by Avis Hunter.

Studio 2 is not able to access government funding and relies entirely on a $5 per session fee for those able to afford it and grants from charitable trusts. It is very grateful to organisations such as the JR McKenzie Trust, Lotteries Grants Board, DCC Community Grants, Otago Southland Presbyterian Synod and Otago Healthcare Trust, which provide grants on a regular basis and therefore enable Studio 2 to continue to operate.

For more information, please contact:
Kay Murray
Connections Centre
T: 03 487 8940 E: