In August last year, Wānaka businesswoman Vanessa George bought Gallery 33 while also running one of Wānaka’s largest retail sporting stores.
Although it may seem as though acquiring an art gallery is out of line with her many years in the sport business, art has been her passion all along.
"This is where I wanted to end up ... it might have taken a winding path to get here," she said.
Her artistic journey began with her degree in art history and theory from the University of Otago. After finishing her studies, she went to work for some of Dunedin’s public and retail galleries.
However, a yearning to move back home led her to open Stirling Sports in Wānaka.
Mrs George said she enjoyed running Stirling Sports as it had been something that "didn’t exist" in the community.
Taking over Gallery 33 had added to her success as a businesswoman and helped her achieve a lifelong dream.
"I’ve always loved Gallery 33 ... This is my happy place," she said.
The gallery displays artists’ work from all over the country and sometimes from overseas.
She wanted the gallery to be a place for established artists as well as an opportunity for those who were up-and-coming, Mrs George said.
The gallery has regular exhibitions, its current Summer Series running until the end of the month.
A notable part of selling art for Mrs George was the experiences she had with first-time buyers who were always very excited to be acquiring their first pieces.
"It doesn’t feel like just retail," she said.
"I like change and I like diversity."
Both businesses are now family run, Mrs George’s sons, husband and aunt all lending a helping hand.
The previous owners of Gallery 33, Peter Gregg and Norma Dutton, had supported her throughout the process, she said.
Having a solid support system and passion that never wavered, she was able to prove there was no single path to success and the destination could often be unexpected, Mrs George said.
