Art and shopping combine in the Lower Hutt CBD

The Central Hutt Art Trail (CHAT) is back today until 26 July with local artists invited to display their work in one of 19 Lower Hutt CBD retailers.

In its second year the trail has extended beyond High Street to include retailers on Queens Drive and Daly Street.

The artists involved are a mixture of emerging and established artists using a variety of mediums from paintings, to photography, jewellery and sculpture.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says CHAT is a fantastic way to attract people to the CBD.

“A suggestion from a retailer sparked the idea for the trail. This initiative recognises art is a powerful way to bring people together and encourage them to explore our CBD and all it has to offer.”

Council’s CBD Development Manager Cyndi Christensen says CHAT combines art and shopping in a celebration of creativity.

“Visiting the artworks along the trail, a spot of shopping followed by something to eat at one of the many CBD cafes and retailers, topped off by a wander down the Hutt River Trail sounds like a great day out to me.”

Included in the trail this year are two About Space projects. About Space is a Council initiative designed to revitalise the Lower Hutt CBD by filling empty storefronts with local artists, pop-up businesses and community activities.

A display from New Zealand’s World Art Games team is also featured. To find out more about the team visit wagteamnz.com

CHAT booklets profiling the artists and their work are available from participating retailers.

Retailers participating in CHAT include:

High Street Unichem

Tiki Lounge Café

Boys 2 Men

Gift Hutt

Red2 Coffee House

Craftwood Souvenirs

Visique on High Street

SHE Designer Excitement

Bank Shoes

Moreland Fabrics

Arts on High

Bays Shoes

Java Point Café and Bistro

Paper Plus Lower Hutt

2n5 Shop

Mint Music

Storage Box

Knitworld Lower Hutt

CopyWrite

Copies of the CHAT booklet are also available online at
huttcity.govt.nz/about-space

ENDS

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