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Snaps Gallery records.

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-Archives-FA 2012/06

Scope and Contents

The Snaps Gallery records consist of correspondence, press cuttings, exhibition posters and ephemera, and administrative documents relating to the gallery’s events and activities between 1969 and 1981.

Dates

  • 1969 - 1981

Conditions Governing Access

Not restricted

Biographical / Historical

Snaps Gallery was established in December, 1975 by Glen Busch, in a small historic cottage on Airedale Street. The intention was to create a space solely focused on the art of photography, and for many years Snaps remained the only photographic specific exhibition space in Auckland. Murray Cammick took over the running of the gallery and in 1978 administration of the space fell to Gillian Chaplin, a MFA student at Elam School of Fine Arts.

During 1977 the Gallery combined with Photo-Forum Inc. to form The Auckland Centre of Photography; combining their resources they jointly applied for Arts Council funding to continue opperation.

In 1979 rising rental costs forced the gallery to move to new premises in Federal Street called The Schoolhouse. After a six month hiatus for renovations the gallery re-opened in June, 1979.

Gillian Chaplin resigned from her role of gallery co-ordinator in 1981 to pursue her own photographic work. Although there were plenty of people willing to help out in the gallery no one could be found to shoulder the responsibility of organising and co-ordinating exhibitions.

Consequently the decision was made to close the gallery in March, 1981.

Extent

4.5 metres (7 boxes, 20 poster folders )

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Gillian Chaplin, 1981; additional exhibition posters were added to the collection in 1990

  • Photographs in Series 7 belonging to Max Oettli and Simone Van Delden removed and transferred to the Auckland Art Gallery.
Title
Inventory of the Snaps Gallery records, 1976-1981
Status
Completed
Author
William Hamill
Date
March, 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Fine Arts Special Collections, University of Auckland Repository

Contact:
5 Alfred Street
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142 New Zealand