METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

Teen opens art gallery in Victoria St

Elizabeth Robinson
The 013 Gallery
Opening night at the 013 Gallery in Victoria St.  Elizabeth Robinson

Frederica Diver is just 18 years old and "never been good at school". Now she owns an art gallery.

The 013 Gallery opened on Friday July 24.

More than 250 people showed up at the gallery on 123 Victoria Street, Christchurch.

Diver said she was nervous leading up to the opening night. The gallery project had been eight months in the making.

"It's what I've always wanted to do. I've never been good at school, so I just wanted to fast track it and potentially see how this runs without a degree or anything like that," Diver said.

"I've done art right the way through school, and I just wanted to kickstart that kind of career early if I could and see how it went."

Diver said the aim of the gallery was to give up-and-coming artists more exposure. It features work from Iaan An, Hamish Borland, Elijah Broughton, Nic Curnow, Felicity Georgeson, Rory Grant, Rachel McMaillan, Connor Kennett and Phil Redmond. 

Linda Barnes, a guest at the opening night, was "astonished" to see a gallery featuring so many young artists on such a big scale. The space was "amazing for Christchurch".

Another opening night supporter, James Scott, said he liked the mix of furniture, sculpture and imagery art.

"It's just really good to see so many people in a brand-new space."

The 013 Gallery is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.