Beverly Claridge, a New Zealand abstract artist, immigrated here in 2001 to be with her new Kiwi husband, Bill. Prior to her move, she organised two successful art exhibitions for congregants in the large foyer of Central Community Church in her hometown of Wichita, Kansas, USA.

Upon arrival in Invercargill, she actively engaged with the Southland and New Zealand art community. In particular, she was introduced to the late artist, Allie Eagle, through Peter and Jessica Crothell, founders of Chrysalis Seed.

Over the years, Allie mentored Beverly, teaching her to focus on a personal approach to art, rather than technique; in particular during the time spent with her at her studio at River Pa in Waikanae.   Soon, Beverly arranged for Allie to headline a well-received artist’s workshop at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery in 2009.

Beverly co-founded the Great South Artist Network, an area-wide artist group that hosted the popular Art Lover’s Luncheon events and ‘Funky Chicken’, where artists displayed 3-D chickens they had created in CBD business foyers and windows. The grassroots group was discontinued with the establishment of the new arts council by the former Venture Southland.

Exhibitions and awards include:

• 2004 Oil Change, solo exhibition at City Gallery, Invercargill: Celebrated her transition to using oil paint as a primary medium.
• 2004 Invercargill Licensing Trust Art Awards: Won a Finalist Prize for ‘Keeper of the Roses’.
• 2005 Anderson Park Art Gallery Spring Exhibition: Three of her works were accepted for the exhibition, which led to Noble People, Treasured Land.
• 2006 Noble People, Treasured Land: A by-invitation solo exhibition at Anderson Park Art Gallery celebrated the sesquicentennial of Southland.
• 2010 Ephemeral Perception – ArtSouth, Gore, owned by the late wildlife artist Robert John Martin
• 2012 Out of Hand – Southland Art Museum and Art Gallery – a duo show with jeweller artist Anna Clair Thompson
• 2012 The American Viola Society featured Beverly’s, Viola Pizzicato, on the cover of their Autumn edition of the Journal publication.
• 2020 Invercargill Licensing Trust Art Awards Exhibition: First exhibition of an abstract, Rahab’s Corner, a sculpture made from the footpath sign of her closed business.
• 2020 Queenstown Art Society Upcycle to Recycle Exhibition: Rabab’s Window, the second abstract sculpture made from a footpath sign.

In late 2012, Beverly bought and managed Claridge and Broderick Artisan Picture Framing till closing in 2019. Initially, the establishment hosted several art shows and featured a prominent permanent sculpture display in the former National Bank heritage building on the corner of Crescent and Clyde streets.

Beverly now robustly pursues abstraction in her studio each weekday.