• sarjeant.org.nz for the full Summer of Art programme of events.

The Summer of Art: A Season of Celebration and Creativity Marks the Opening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery

The highly anticipated opening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery is fast approaching, bringing with it a vibrant Summer of Art. Whanganui locals and visitors can expect a season filled with creativity, celebration, and art, which will also be showcased through its exciting line-up of free-to-attend events throughout the gallery's opening month.

Whether experiencing the No Konei | From Here exhibition (9 November 2024 - 11 May 2025), participating in the Opening Ceremony Mihi (Saturday 9 November), or coming along for performances, talks, and fun activities inside and outside the gallery, there will be something for everyone during the Summer of Art.

Opening Weekend at Pukenamu (9-10 November 2024)

Opening Ceremony Mihi and Exhibitions
-A public Opening Ceremony Mihi will begin at 9.30am on Saturday 9 November, which will mark the first time the gallery opens its doors to the public. This is following a Pōhiri at Pūtiki Marae and a Te Tūwheratanga dawn ceremony to unveil the carved waka, mahau, and additional new mahi taonga.
-The exhibition No Konei | From Here will open (9 November 2024 - 11 May 2025) with works from the Collection of Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery alongside newly commissioned artworks, with solo projects by Matthew McIntyre-Wilson, Tia Ranginui and Alexis Neal, and a major survey of works by Edith Collier.
-We celebrate our tamariki in all their diverse self-portrait glory in the collective work Kei Kōnei Au | I Am Here, because ultimately these children are who this place is for — the next generation of visionaries. Showcasing self-portraits by tamariki from twenty two Whanganui primary schools, and completed over the past year, each of the almost 2,000 A5-sized watercolour portraits has been scanned and digitally archived, with the collection projected in the gallery.

Live Music
-A full programme of performance from local and New Zealand musicians, including Anthonie Tonnon, Alphabethead, internationally renowned taonga puoro master Rob Thorne, and violinist and digital multi-instrumentalist Motte, will take place at Pukenamu on an outdoor stage beside the gallery.
-New Zealand Opera School has programmed a superb concert featuring world-class pianist Somi Kim, sopranos Sarah Mileham and Olivia Forbes, tenor Ridge Ponini and baritone Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono.
-A mass percussion parade and brass extravaganza, led by Brass Whanganui, will weave its way from Drews Avenue up to the gallery.
-There will be Kapa Haka, an amazing opportunity to experience the performing arts of local tangata whenua.

Light Projections and Fun Activities

-Fun, hands-on art activities for all ages will be available, fostering a space where people can connect, celebrate, and be inspired by art.
-After-dark light projections featuring works by Whanganui visual and moving image artists, will illuminate the gallery, creating a captivating night-time experience.
-Food and drink will be available from the Sarjeant Gallery Trust marquee, alongside plenty of opportunities to explore Whanganui’s local food scene.

Special events will continue throughout the opening month, including: NZTrio He Taonga Wairere (Friday 15 November) is celebrated for its diverse repertoire, exceptional talent, and welcoming Kiwi stage presence. Bringing together three incredibly accomplished artists; Amalia Hall (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Somi Kim (piano), this concert will feature the baby grand Yamaha piano bequeathed by Helen Gordon (nee Collier) to the Edith Collier Trust and in the long-term care of Te Whare o Rehua. Book your tickets to attend this exciting event.

Edith Collier Weekend (23-24 November) offers an in-depth exploration of the life and legacy of the renowned New Zealand modernist painter and associated topics, including a discussion focused on women in the arts. This series of talks and activities dedicated to the Whanganui painter Edith Collier (1885-1964) coincides with the gallery’s major new survey of her works (9 November 2024 – 16 February 2025).

Art and Legacy Weekend (7-8 December) features artist talks, architectural insights, and tributes to influential figures from the history of the gallery, local area and in New Zealand art, celebrating the land it sits upon and the gallery's rich heritage, which shapes its exciting future.

Storytime and Whānau Fun in the Classroom every weekend in November, offering creative experiences for families.

“The Summer of Art opening programme celebrates this significant moment for the gallery and Whanganui. The events over the opening month reflect the creativity that we are lucky to have here.” says Andrew Clifford, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery Director.

“This isn’t just the conclusion of the redevelopment project, this is the start of a new era for the gallery. We hope that everyone joins us to celebrate the opening of the gallery – whether taking in the exhibitions and new gallery spaces, or exploring the city and the incredible creatives and artists we have across Whanganui, a designated UNESCO City of Design.”

For the first month, from Saturday 9 November, the gallery will have extended opening hours from 10am – 6pm. Regular opening hours will be Monday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with the Sarjeant Gallery Shop and Sarjeant Gallery Cafe opening from 8.30am.

Visitors are also encouraged to allow time to explore some of Whanganui’s leading cultural attractions, including New Zealand Glassworks, Whanganui Regional Museum, Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics and other galleries in the Coastal Arts Trail.

Visit sarjeant.org.nz for the full Summer of Art programme of events.