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“I overlooked the impressive degree to which such differences were going to be accepted. When someone walks through the doors of XCHC… they are not required to conform to a rigid doctrine or dogmatic way of thinking, but are instead celebrated for their idiosyncratic talent and contribution. Above all, XCHC is not just an art gallery, a café or a collection of studio space, but it is a place that accepts. It is a place that shares, listens and understands.” - Isaac McCarthy (Editor)
"This music isn't for your consumption, it's for your contemplation" ~ Jake Kīanō Skinner
If you could add anything to XCHC, what would it be?
'A full-on hostel, so I could just live here and never have to leave! I love the freedom that we have, to do what we want in the building, to begin with.'
We’ve lost track of how many… once we hit 250+ a year in 2019 we stopped caring and now it’s just a part of our every day life; something creative is happening whether you’re here for it or not.
"It's time to give the arts some much needed oxygen to help grow their understanding and support.
'Art for Equality' the event aimed to bring together a community in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
I want people to claim back some power over the art that has often been influenced by them; I encourage people to make my art their own. If someone was to break one of the mirrors [that I am painting on] I would welcome that as their expression, or contribution to the piece. I treat my art as a gift to others.
The event, titled 'Vaccination Station', was our way of ushering out the lingering focus on COVID-19 in a fun, bold and artistic manner.
Performing at XCHC—particularly for emerging/up-and-coming musicians—takes the pressure off in a way that you would not find at a bar or pub. If you perform here, you will likely be doing so in front of other musicians who want to support your journey.
There were more than a few occasions during the Vaccination Station where the XCHC crew looked at each other with a perturbed expression that said one thing: 'did we just do that?'
We’re going through older posts and drafts at the moment and found this not yet published post about our #ArtsMonths. Have a look at one of the most intense months of activity in the history of the XCHC:
Guten Tag and hello to you and every member of the XCHC community.
I was one of those kids that ran before I could walk and got told off for not breathing between mouthfuls. Which if you know me, I’m sure it’s not hard to imagine a tiny little force of nature on a colourful leash ready to try everything (or get hit by a car), and if you don’t, well, I’m about the same except the only leash I struggle with now is society.
Which is why with first discovering the Exchange, I felt a cosmic shift within myself, something like a sigh of relief. Something like coming home. This is a place like you’ve never seen before.
Last week, a number of us from the XCHC team attended a Culture Course called “Sacred Stance”. A group of 22 in total learned about Maori history, the hongi, a haka, and a few other things.
Being an art space comes with a lot of EVERYTHING.
We are a merry band of travelers, goofballs, & creatives who have been practicing alternative living all over the world.
The CrunchyBar will be a place to socialise, share, connect, & create. We aim to create an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that blurs the line between a venue and a home. If this sounds like something you’ve been looking for, come down and see what we’re all about.
Our team has grown!
Sam was leading a team of about 60 people… in the heart of the Matong State Forest… aka the fucking dessert. I thought they were crazy. And I liked it. - Preston
What drew you to XCHC? … What is your creative edge?
It had all the characteristics of a place I wanted to be.
I like transforming spaces a living organisms. Finding a way to reach the center of all the senses through immersive art.
Artists in residents, cafe/bar patrons, event hosts all have their own unique experiences at XCHC; these are their stories.
“Exchange's initial purpose for me was to find friends and build community and while I had my studio space here, I feel I truly found these things.” - Bella Roake
Tyler first came to XCHC in January after finding us on Stusu, an Airbnb styled platform connecting artists with studio spaces around the world.
“I'll be staying at the XCHC over the next wee while, and working to address some of the controversial ideas in the art world which I feel have been holding me back in my artistic career.”
Artists in residents, cafe/bar patrons, event hosts all have their own unique experiences at XCHC; these are their stories.
“Something about all the creative juices flowing in that space have definitely influenced me into working more on my creative projects” - Ryan | The Good Timeline
We realized very quickly it’s important as a mixed-use space to be clear, so I thought it might be useful to share some of what I’ve learned preparing to manage a space that includes hospitality where seating is located in a small gallery (or “public venue”), and shared on-site workspace/studios.
Are you interested in a collaboration?
Would you enjoy exploring how working with others could open an infinite range of possibilities?
Artists in residents, cafe/bar patrons, event hosts all have their own unique experiences at XCHC; these are their stories.
“Something about all the creative juices flowing in that space have definitely influenced me into working more on my creative projects” - Ryan | The Good Timeline
How has COVID-19 affected us? What are we doing about it? How can you help?
Read more in this blog post
🗓 September was #artsmonth and it. was. INTENSE.
We hosted 34 events with over for 1,400+ attendees, 4 exhibitions, and 1 pop-up shop.
The events ranged from workshops, openings, music nights, art socials, fashion shows, drawing nights and many more.
It’s time to move into the city!
A central creative HQ will bring design, fashion, performance, visual arts and various creative practices together with accommodation and hospitality that will operate just like we do now, a not-for-profit enabling creativity and bringing some real life and diversity to the CBD.
“Uniquely expressive acts get transformed and elaborated into social rites, and through participation they accrue a breadth and depth of meaning which can only be produced in a communal setting. It is the primal process by which culture is created.”
– Larry Harvey (Founder of Burning Man)