An increase in the number of visitors to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery from outside the Taranaki region has contributed to a major increase in visitors to the Gallery this summer.

“Compared to last summer the numbers are up a staggering 50% setting a record high for the Gallery during the summer period. The number of visitors coming to the Gallery from outside New Plymouth has increased from fifty to seventy percent. Clearly visitors to New Plymouth are the main contributor to the increase further cementing the Gallery’s reputation as a major tourist attraction for the district”, said Gallery Director Gregory Burke.

“In addition more than 95% of these visitors rated their experience at the Gallery very highly, with many commenting that the Gallery ensured that coming to New Plymouth was definitely worth the journey,” said Mr Burke.

Bloom: mutation, toxicity and the sublime, the Gallery’s current major exhibition exploring society’s fascination with the impact of science on the environment and humanity, has attracted the majority of visitors, a total to date of 14,000 visitors since it opened on December 13, 2003. In response to this the gallery has been able to extend the exhibition period by three days. The exhibition will now close on 29 February.

“Local, national and international audiences of all ages seemed to have really connected with this show, while international interest has also been high with numerous websites featuring the exhibition”, said Mr Burke.

Bloom: mutation, toxicity and the sublime; Len Lye: gene pool, works from the collection and Fiji Biennale Pavilions, by the Gallery’s 2003 New Zealand artist in residence Mladen Bizumic, finish on February 29.