Did you know a famous New Zealand Artist lived in Templar Street, Richmond and was a part of the Richmond community for nearly 40 years?
“When I have my breakfast,” wrote artist Bill Sutton in his journal in 1992, “I cut off a slice of bread for myself and one for the birds. We are all in it together.”
“W. A. (Bill) Sutton house and garden, 20 Templar Street. Sutton is recognized as a nationally significant artist and teacher of the mid-to-late twentieth century.
His house on Templar Street was built in 1963, designed by his colleague at the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Tom Taylor.”
http://www.regeneratechristchurch.nz/assets/Uploads/Heritage-Assessment-for-the-Residential-Red-Zone-Richmond.pdf
“Renowned New Zealand artist Bill Sutton’s former home and studio in Christchurch’s residential red zone has been saved from demolition. Instead, it will be restored and gifted to the city.
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods on Friday announced plans to save and restore Sutton’s former Templar St, Richmond home, which was built in 1963.
Woods said the home would be restored for future generations to visit due to its ‘very special cultural and heritage significance’.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/103256576/famous-artist-bill-suttons-christchurch-red-zone-house-saved-from-demolition-will-be-restored-and-gifted-to-city
“Mayor Lianne Dalziel is delighted the Crown agreed to the Council’s requests to have the house and studio preserved.
‘It’s a fantastic outcome and ensures that future generations of artists will be able to visit the studio where Sutton worked and created some of his most well-known art works,’ the Mayor says. ‘It is a win for heritage in our city and it’s a win for our arts community.’
Councillor Yani Johanson who used to be the Councillor for the Richmond area and who chaired the Council committee that first sought retention of the house in late 2012, also welcomed the move.
‘It has been a long standing request from Council to Central Government to retain this special place as an iconic residential address in our city. It makes perfect sense to help activate the current and future use of the red zone by extending its life.
It’s great to be able to secure the future of such a culturally important property and to know that Bill Sutton’s legacy will live on in Richmond,’ Cr Johanson says.”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/2581
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What if we made this whole area from Fitzgerald Avenue-Stanmore Road and Harvey Terrace-River Road into “Sutton’s Place”: a creative space for our local Christchurch Arts Community, and a place to welcome creatives from all around the world?
With Bill Sutton’s house/garden as the centrepiece, we could add:
– living/studio spaces for artist’s in residence,
– learning spaces: day/night classes for arts & crafts, art business classes,
– eco-friendly cafe/gallery/shop/information centre,
– car parking and bike stands for those using the Avon-Ōtākaro Cycle Route,
– outdoor natural wood easels for painting, picnic tables and seating
– landscape design that creates a ‘picture’ you want to capture, with whatever medium you like to use as an artist
– outdoor natural wood picture frames, that frame a view, and/or create an opportunity to take a selfie or group photo, to share on social media,
with Sutton’s Garden for Outdoor Teaching, Art/Sculpture Park, and Outdoor Arts Related Events, set in a beautiful garden setting over looking the Avon River, for all types of artists to come and be a part of Sutton’s legacy.
Links
– Christchurch City Libraries: William Sutton
– Christchurch Art Gallery: W. A. Sutton – A Retrospective
– Christchurch Modern: 20 Templar Street – Sutton House – Tom Taylor
– Richmond Community News: Richmond Heritage – 20 Templar Street, Richmond
– Home To Love: Bill Sutton’s Mid Century Christchurch Gem
– Recreating the Red Zone: Arts Trail – Kim Lowe