Artists Collective Closing As Creativity Plus Moves On

Lana Osborne is closing her Artists Collective after 11 years, so she can concentrate on her own business.

The graphic designer opened up the space behind her Creativity Plus business initially on Tay Street (next to Hannahs Shoes), for artists of every kind, to use the space to work and sell their wares.

When Invercargill Central was in the planning, Lana and other small business owners had to relocate, so she set up shop at 86 Dee Street and took the collective with her.

There has been bone carvers, lead light artists, knitters and cabinet makers, but now she is moving again and downsizing, so she’ll have no room for the artists collective.

“I’m moving premises and I can’t take the artist collective with me.”

Lana said what’s been exciting is seeing some of the artists coming into the space and finding their confidence, and then growing to a point they outgrew the space.

“Several artists that have been here for a long time have just loved the environment.”

All up there have been about 100 different artists using the space over the course of 11 years.

But ill health now meant Lana had to put herself first and concentrate on her own business. “ I love having them around but I can’t carry it anymore.”

There have been suggestions that one of the other artists might pick it up and run with it, but in the meantime, Lana is more than happy to pass on any of the artists details.

“I’m going to miss the people coming through.”

The Artists Collective will continue at her Dee Street premises Tuesdays to Fridays in July from 9-4pm with the final day being July 31.

Don’t miss out on hand crafted items made locally, before the end of July.