Shop Team

What do the cast of the Narnia films and New Zealand politicians have in common? No, it's not the start of a joke. They all do their shopping at the Gallery.

Veer to the left after you've descended the stairs in the Gallery's magnificent foyer, and you'll find yourself surrounded by beautiful New Zealand art books, high-quality reproductions, unique stationery and toys. The Shop is managed by team leader Merilynne Evans with merchandising and retail officer Liz Garland, and they are ably assisted by part-time retail sale assistants Kay Renwick, Jade Scott, Karen Waine, Shannon Williamson and casual employee Gay Rutherford. Their collective experience is eclectic  – from banking, teaching and book retailing, to Gallery guiding and working as a practising artist.

As an important extension to the exhibition spaces, the Gallery Shop has fostered a very loyal local patronage. It's popular with tourists too-staff are often told that considering the small size of the shop it is comparable to that found in any international gallery-and has received visits from comedians, politicians, movie stars and rugby players. Complementing the physical shop is its virtual presence; through the website, merchandise has reached destinations from Greenland to Antarctica, and Africa to North America.

As a first point of contact for many visitors, the staff field a lot of questions from the public. Ranging from the predictable ‘How do I get into the Gallery?' to the gentleman who quietly came round to the back of the counter, put his takeaway food on the print bins and, ready to eat, asked for a spoon. Other favourite enquiries include: ‘Is there a special name for the round window in a church?', ‘Where is the local tattoo parlour?' and ‘I was in here last year and saw a book with a red cover. Can you tell me what it was called?'

The Gallery Shop is one of the best places in Christchurch to buy cards, prints, posters and art books, and best of all, the proceeds from your purchases support Christchurch Art Gallery's collections, exhibitions and programmes.