Depot Artspace

By Celia Walker

Tucked into a side street off Devonport’s main strip, Depot Artspace has been generating culture since 1996. Starting back when houses were cheap, and the art focus in the community was strong, it has maintained a healthy arts presence ever since. It is much more than an exhibition venue (though it does that too) – with the Depot Sound recording studio, the ArtsLab mentoring programme, occasional Depot Press publications, and has a treasure trove archive of oral
history.

On the exhibition side of things, the Depot has always had an ethos of inclusivity and a strong community focus – you might find the exquisite calligraphy of an Iranian refugee hanging alongside an investigation into Devonport soldiers lost in World War One. Alongside the frequent turnover of individual artists' exhibitions, the Depot researches and gathers together material for occasional thematic shows, often with a focus on local social history, place-making and an understanding of land/whenua.

Depot Sound also operates as a community-oriented service, enabling affordable access to professional quality sound recording and post-production facilities. What started as a practice room for local musicians has expanded to two studios, constantly filled with emerging musical talent and older recording artists – on recording days band members drift in and out through the gallery space, a changing array of faces but with a reassuring continuity in the tendency towards black attire.

While exhibitions come and go, a more tangible record of the Depot’s activities can be found online in their Cultural Icons series of recorded interviews. This eclectic mix of oral interviews ranges from local identities to nationally known artists, the relative informality of the format making personal histories shine.

A multi-disciplinary arts centre offering a variety of facilities, services and events that both support the creative community and provide opportunities for public appreciation. It is the home of Cultural Icons"Conversations with Iconic People". "recorded interviews, conducted between contemporaries, with the aim of sharing the histories, stories and experiences of some of New Zealand's most significant arts and culture contributors."

Image Credit: Celia Walker