Chapter1

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

We will be going facebook live here just before 7pm, so pop back to watch Jarrard and Grant talk about all things photography. 📷 📸

27/05/2026

"SUNDAY IN SYDENHAM."
​
Clear your Sunday calendar! Come for the art, stay for the vinyl, and explore the markets.

​Not only is it the last day to catch the debut exhibition at Chapter1, but the whole street is coming alive for a hang out vibe Sunday lineup:
​Chapter1 Exhibition 12pm – 5pm
Renegade Brewing Co 🎶 Renegade on Wax: Vinyl Record Fair & Live DJs right across the road from Chapter1 | 12pm – 5pm
SydenhamUnderpass Their once a month big food Markets: | 12pm – 7:30pm

​If you missed Chapter1 opening night’s standing room only crowd, this is your last chance to view incredible works from our foundation artists before the pages turn on this collection.

​Come for the art, stay for the vinyl, and explore the markets.

​📍 Chapter1, RHQ, 95 Orbell St Sydenham
Saturday open: 11am – 2pm | Sunday open: 12pm – 5pm
​Chapter1. Not the whole book.

27/05/2026

Jessie Rawcliffe was one of our featured artists in the opening Chapter1 exhibition, and now she's gracing the cover of Metropol. If you've seen her work in person, you'll understand why. Have a read and discover the artist behind the paintings. Love your work Jessie! Metropol Magazine

Look out! The latest Metropol is hitting the streets and it's eye-conic! We're all about getting creative in this issue - we bring you interviews with local artists, the talented Ellie Compton - Artist, as well wine-making artistry, the unstoppable Kim Schofield of Dancing Water Winery, while the mesmerising (mesmer-eye-sing? ) cover is by local designer and muralist Jessie Rawcliffe, you can find the real thing in Cathedral Square, it's part of the 'Gazer' series and asks questions like, who's watching the watchers?
In this issue, you can also... discover the four (that's right, FOUR) film festivals coming to town in the next couple of months; read about deputy editor Tamara Pitelen's 10-day silent meditation retreat; discover the efforts of the Hawarden-Waikari community to keep their ancestors remembered; get inspired for having a crafty winter; revel in your fashion obsession for leopard print everything (or is it just us?), and get dinner sorted dinner with a delicious salmon recipe followed by apple crumble and chia pudding.
Have a read, let us know what you like and what you want more of, we're here for you Canterbury. Have a goodie!
Read the issue online now at the link below or grab your copy as it appears in stands around the city.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/71119992/28-may-2026-metropol

27/05/2026

18/05/2026

Not only do we have his work currently hanging in the opening exhibition, but now we get to go a little deeper. Join us for an evening with Jarrard as he shares the story, thinking and vision behind his PHOTOGRAPHY from his striking human skull piece through to his upcoming global food series.
How awesome to be not just viewing his art, but hearing the stories between the frames.
PM to save your seat and come join the conversation.

15/05/2026

15/05/2026

Come and say hello Saturday and Sunday open from 10am.

15/05/2026

Today I went a little further into the creative corners of Sydenham and visited the solo exhibition Mono by Kulimoe'anga Stone Maka at Jonathan Smart Gallery.

Firstly, Jonathan was incredibly warm and generous in his welcome. There’s something special about being introduced to a space by someone who has spent years immersed in art and artists. Conversations like that remind you how much knowledge and passion quietly sit behind gallery walls.

And then there was the work. The sheer scale of the tapa pieces stopped me, you suddenly become aware of your own scale in the room. Beautiful materials and techniques which I would love to learn more about in the future.

But one thing I am learning through Chapter1 is that creative spaces don’t exist in isolation. Every gallery has its own voice, personality and way of seeing the world and together they create something much bigger.

Sydenham especially feels a bit like that right now. Warehouses, studios, galleries, hidden corners… underpasses, brewing, coffee, one big adventure if you know where to look.

Turns out there’s a whole creative city hiding in plain sight and I look forward to sharing it with you.

XOXO Rach