The Welcome Swallow Gallery was opened a year ago today on 1st May. The aptly named opening exhibition, Celebration, brought together the artists who had prior exhibited with the Welcome Swallow before the acquisition of the adjacent unit. Six exhibitions, showing over 400 pieces of art, special exhibits of Frances Hodgkins and Rita Angus original paintings, several installations and special features later and the Gallery is ready to open again with the exhibition, A New Zealand Story.

As we are unable to celebrate in traditional fashion, a delve into the archive from last year's launch of the Celebration exhibition provides a suitable illustration of the sentiments felt.