A new collection of landscape paintings is adorning the walls of Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery.

More than 50 people attended the opening of the new exhibition featuring works by 11 Central Otago artists at the Alexandra gallery on Wednesday. 

Works on display are from Shaun Burdon, Jane Coombs, Neil Driver, Julie Greig, Rachel Hirabayashi, Debbie Malcolm, Maurice Middleditch, Jillian Porteous, Katie Robinson, Jane Whitaker, and Nigel Wilson. 

The exhibition, which encompasses a highly varied collection of paintings in oil, acrylic and cold wax, runs until June 30 in the Henderson and Grant galleries. 

All of 19 the works are more than one metre in size and visitors are encouraged to stand in front of them, to wait a moment and allow themselves to soak up the silence and beauty of Central’s world.

Exhibition organiser Judy Cockeram spoke about art, architecture, history, philosophy, reality and dreamscape paired with Central Otago’s “extraordinary space of mountainous velvety hills and vibrant skies”. In the background is Jane Coombs ‘Oliverburn farm hut - Rough Ridge’ (1000 x 510mm), $2225. PHOTO: The Central App

Artist Katie Robinson who attended the opening said she was “beyond excited” to have been asked to contribute two of her paintings.

“Being included alongside such a big names is an absolute privilege . . . and then I saw the hang and I was even more thrilled.”

Katie with her painting ‘First snow on Pisa’ (1030 x 730mm), $1600. PHOTO: Katie Robinson Artist

She splits her time between Central and Auckland and said her house was on the market and she’s “transitioning to here” and treasures her memories of many of her childhood holidays in Ophir.  

Judy described Katie’s work as bright, bold and charming. 

“We are allowed to map out our place, plot our dog walk and travel for a time, in this playground of remembered events and familiar places.”

Debbie Malcolm’s ‘Winter at The Pond’ (750 x 750mm).

Watch one minute of Judy’s speech covering Debbie Malcolm and Julie Greig’s works here. VIDEO: The Central App

Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery is open Monday - Sunday from 10am to 4pm.