Singing is a great way to lift one's spirits.

It's certainly not easy being closed, but if there is a bright side it's that we've had a chance to get on to some of those projects that have been previously relegated to a long 'to do' list.

So your city's broken, the arts community is in disarray, and – after close inspection by experts in hard hats and hi-vis vests – it turns out your long-held faith in the role of art in post-quake Christchurch is suffering from stress fractures, subsidence and some kind of spiritual dry rot. What do you do?

This is something of a good news / bad news message. Unfortunately it has now become abundantly clear that our much-hoped for reopening in July is not going to happen. Rest assured, the Gallery building is still sound, and will reopen.

Manchester Street, Christchurch by Louise Henderson was painted in 1929 and shows a streetscape that remained largely unchanged until the earthquake of 22 February.