Happy New Year!

Written By Mel Eaton

We’re back…Hello 2026

After a quiet pause over the holiday break, Fold is officially open again and we’re stepping into the year feeling refreshed, energised, and genuinely excited for what’s ahead. 2026 is shaping up to be one full of art, collaboration, and creative momentum, and we’re glad to be back with the doors open and the kettle on.

When to find us

Our general open hours are 9:00am – 4:00pm most weekdays, but with a busy start to the year we’re already buzzing in and out of the building. The easiest way to know? If the flag is out, we’re in. Pop your head through the door and say hi.

Signature Artists Residency

One of our big highlights kicking off the year is the Signature artists residency programme. From 19 January through to 14 April, we’ll be hosting 13 invited artists working here in the Fold studio - making, experimenting, and sharing space across the months.

We’ll be celebrating the residency with a group exhibition of their work, opening on Thursday 16 April at 6:00pm, and showing in the gallery until 30 April.

Participating artists:

  • Mandy Palmer

  • Sarah Frisk

  • Hannah Botheridge

  • Greg Anderson

  • Marceline Silvah

  • Faye Mather

  • Ange Wyllie

  • Andrea Allott

  • Anniece Rickard

  • Donna Howes

  • Birgit Baeurle

  • Francesca Gilsenan

We’ll be sharing features on each of these artists over the next couple of months. We’re excited to get to know them and their work better during the residency!

Around the studios

There’s plenty happening behind the scenes too.

  • Mel will be packing up her solo exhibition at Art On The Quay in Kaiapoi on 14 January. If you missed the show, fear not…her work will be making its way back into the Fold studio very soon.

  • Laura and Julie are back in the studio and already deep into exciting new projects. Watch this space.

  • We’re stoked that Anna Heasley is continuing her studio residency with us until March. Be sure to check out her photography 1:1 workshops - a brilliant chance to learn heaps about taking strong, confident photographs with expert guidance.

Opportunities at Fold

The gallery is currently open to expressions of interest.

  • We have space available for small shows in February and March

  • May onwards is wide open

Studio bookings are also filling fast, so if you’re keen on securing a studio from May onwards, we’d love to hear from you.

And finally, coming soon to the website, an online shop featuring original artworks and prints by Fold artists. Keep an eye out for that launch.

Here’s to a year of making, sharing, and folding creativity out into the community. We’re so glad you’re here with us.

Mel Eaton
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