LAREE PAYNE - LAREE PAYNE GALLERY

Tucked round the back of the lane, facing the Waikato River, you’ll find the Laree Payne Gallery, featuring artists from across Aotearoa and abroad. Get to know Laree here -

Tell us a bit about your business. What do you do/ offer?
Laree Payne Gallery is the only dealer gallery in the Waikato Region. We hold a new exhibition every four weeks, bringing artists from around Aotearoa and abroad to present in the form of solo and group presentations. The Gallery focuses on presenting the work of leading contemporary artists whose work is fresh, engaging and relevant.

Are you from Hamilton?
No, I am originally from Tauranga.

Favourite coffee spot/ place to eat on your day off?
Anne Fern Coffee Shop.

What do you do for fun or to relax?
We love going out to drink coffee and eat.

Favourite food of all time?
South Island cherries, straight from the box.

Summer or winter?
Winter.

If you could retire tomorrow, what would you do?
I would do what I do now - I love my work.

Favourite thing about the lane?
It’s position; the lane is perfectly positioned to enable access inside but also so that people can walk right the way around (and have a great experience whilst doing it), experiencing the city centre and the Waikato Awa.

What do you love most about Hamilton?
The Waikato Awa. My partner and I walk along it daily to get to work, our river paths are incredible and it is a brilliant way to start the day.

What did you do before getting into this job?
Study and work in hospitality.

What do you snack on when you’re at work?
Tamari almonds and long blacks.

Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.

Favourite store in the Hamilton CBD?
Currently it is pretty hard to beat what our friends at Found are doing.

INSTAGRAM @lareepaynegallery