End Of The Road opens on Thursday 28^th January from 6pm at Cross Street Studios; it is the last exhibition to be hosted at the gallery space on Cross Street, near Auckland’s K’rd. To celebrate Cross Street Studios’ rough and ready approach to the arts, the exhibition will be a ‘cash and carry’ send off for the space.

The exhibition is made up of a diverse group of artists with art including works of pop art, illustration, minimalistic painting, collage and typography. Many of the artists exhibiting have been involved with Cross Street Studios in the past, and End Of The Road even features current and previous members of the collective. The show has joint curators, Tessa Stubbing (Cross Street Studios director) and Steven Lyons (director of fellow arts collective Makeshift). Stubbing describes the show as “an appropriate send off Cross Street - the space has always promoted an eclectic mix of art disciplines and this is a chance for us to bring artists and audience together in a fun way”. The format of the exhibition is a ‘cash and carry’ meaning that it is first in first served, and a great opportunity for the attendees to get their hands on some affordable art works by local up and comers.

Cross Street Studios was conceived by a diverse group of artists late 2006. They ranged from architects to fine artists to musicians; and came together with a vision to create a space that encouraged creative practices for young and emerging artists in Auckland. After securing the premises they constructed a gallery, large workshop and ten individual studios. Since then the space has been run by artists in the collective, and has been used in a myriad of ways; be it theatrical performances, art exhibitions or musical performances. Unfortunately due to a rent increase, the space is no longer viable for the collective; and they reluctantly had to give up their central city premises. While Auckland will be saying goodbye to the Studios there is much to celebrate as Lyons comments “For a space to last 3 years in the Auckland art scene without funding is inspirational. Cross Street Studios gave a lot of local artists confidence in the way that it challenged the conventional idea of a gallery space”.

End Of The Road celebrates Cross Street’s time in the Auckland art scene by gathering artists together for this final send-off exhibition featuring friends of Cross Street old and new. The exhibition opens on Thursday 28^th January and will be a homage to the cheerful party attitude of Cross Street, punctuated with home made cupcakes and drinks such as bambus (a yummy mix of red wine and cola). Don’t miss your last chance to say farewell to Cross Street and enjoy this gallery’s playful and accessible atmosphere.

What:                         End Of The Road Exhibition

When:                         Opening Night Thursday 28^th Jan, 6-9pm

                                    Exhibition runs Friday & Saturday, Jan 29^th – 30^th, 11am-6pm

Where:                        Cross Street Studios, Upstairs at 5 Cross Street, Auckland CBD.