New Look Sarjeant Gallery Website Launched

04 Oct New Look Sarjeant Gallery Website Launched

A new-look vibrant website for Whanganui’s renowned Sarjeant Gallery, offering up-to-date information on everything from exhibitions, works of art, events and activities to redevelopment plans, is now live.

The new website is designed to be simple to use, inviting, information rich and visually appealing with a host of colourful images. The six-month project was funded by the Sarjeant Gallery Trust who recognised the importance of having a website that reflected the unique nature of the historic Gallery and its extensive collection as well as providing information about events, exhibitions and future plans. The beautiful (yet functional) design was created by Wairarapa-based Simon Burt from Words & Images.

Project manager Vivien Lindsay says the Sarjeant Collection is well represented with more than 500 of the 8300-plus works beautifully illustrated and described. The Sarjeant Education Programme includes information on workshops on offer to local primary and secondary students and pages of fabulous student art work. The website also links through to the Gallery online store, widely regarded as one of the best gallery shops in the country. It showcases, amongst other things, the work of top New Zealand jewellers, ceramicists and glass artists.

A media section includes media releases, Sarjeant stories previously published in the Gallery’s weekly column in the Whanganui Chronicle, podcasts and back issues of the Sarjeant Quarterly.
One of the prime requirements was to champion the proposed $34 million redevelopment of the Sarjeant Gallery and fundraising efforts. The website has everything people need to know about the project including background, videos of the Warren and Mahoney architectural plans for the rebuild, updates on fundraising efforts, frequently asked questions and information about how people can get involved and lend support.

Fundraising is continuing for the proposed restoration of the historic 97-year-old Gallery in Pukenamu/Queens Park and construction of a new wing to house the extensive and nationally significant Sarjeant art collection along with education and exhibition spaces. Approximately $16 million has already been pledged to the project and a re-application was lodged in July for a $10 million grant from Central Government’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund. Funding is also being sought from the Lottery Grants Board, corporate and individual donations. Trust chair Nicola Williams says the push is on to meet the funding target by the end of the year, enabling a start to be made on construction by mid-2017. The Trust is aiming to have the project completed in time for the Sarjeant Gallery’s centennial celebrations in 2019.