16 Oct Summer of Art: Opening Month Events
SUMMER OF ART: OPENING MONTH EVENTS
OPENING WEEKEND
(Saturday 9 November – Sunday 10 November)
The Opening Weekend at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery kicks off on Saturday, 9 November at 9,30am with an Opening Ceremony Mihi followed by a full weekend of events. The gallery will remain open to the public from 10am to 6pm, while outdoor events take place at Pukenamu Queen’s Park from 10am until 11pm, featuring light projections starting at 7.30pm. This vibrant day marks the gallery’s grand opening.
Sunday 10 November, begins with a discussion on Te Mana o Te Awa, Te Mana o Te Iwi, exploring the cultural and legal legacy of Tā Archie Taiaroa, the namesake of the gallery’s new wing. The day also includes artist talks, from 11am, with Lightning Kōrero where artists featured in the exhibition Nō Konei | From Here will engage in conversations about their work. This will be followed by a discussion about the Co-Design process with Te Kahui Toi and Warren and Mahoney; followed by a Waka Korero speaking to the crafting of the waka walk bridge. Also don’t miss Creative Whānau, a drop-in session for families to engage in art activities.
Outdoor events and projections will continue across both evenings, creating a weekend filled with art, community and cultural celebration:
Saturday, 9 November
- 9.30-10am: Opening Ceremony Mihi
The official ceremony to mark the opening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. Please gather from 9.15am at Pukenamu Queen’s Park. - 10am – 6pm: Gallery Opens to the Public
Explore the newly redeveloped gallery and its opening exhibition Nō Konei | From Here. - 10am – 10pm: Live music and activities at Pukenamu
Enjoy live performances, including Anthonie Tonnon, Rob Thorne and other artists, with a variety of activities around Pukenamu. Food trucks will be available throughout the day and evening. - 12pm: Mass Percussion Parade
Join the mass percussion parade and brass extravaganza with a procession led by Brass Whanganui from the Whanganui River Markets, up Drews Avenue to the gallery.
- 7.30-11pm: Lighting Projections on the Gallery
Experience stunning lighting projections illuminating the gallery’s exterior.
Sunday, 10 November
- 10.30am – 12pm: Te Mana o Te Awa, Te Mana o Te Iwi talk
A discussion exploring Tā Archie Te Atawhai Taiaroa’s leadership in the recognition of the mana of the Awa (river) and his iwi, and the ongoing legacy of this fight. - 11am – 2.30pm: Lightning Kōrero with Artists
The gallery’s curators engage in hourly rapid conversations with artists from the exhibition Nō Konei | From Here, including Glen Hayward, Bruce Foster, Lorene Taurerewa, Ming Ranginui, and Alexis Neal. - 11am – 12.30pm & 2.30-4pm: Creative Whānau
Drop into the gallery’s new classroom for fun, easy, and free activities for all ages. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Creative Whānau sessions will continue every Sunday throughout November. - 1-2pm: Co-Design Kōrero
Te Kāhui Toi o Tūpoho are Cecelia Kumeroa, Eugene Kara, Paul Millar and Aaron Te Rangiao Gardiner. The group of designers was assembled for the purpose of embedding the cultural expression and design elements for the new wing, Te Pātaka o Tā Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa, and Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Tupoho and the community. Learn more about their experience during this exciting kōrero with the team and Ralph Roberts from Warren and Mahoney, principal architect and lead designer for the redevelopment project.
- 10am – 10pm: Live Music and Activities at Pukenamu
Enjoy live performances from various artists and activities at Pukenamu. Food trucks will be available throughout the day. - 7.30-11pm: Lighting Projections on the Gallery
Enjoy another evening of spectacular lighting projections on the gallery.
OPENING MONTH CONTINUES
TRIPTYCH 3 UNTAMED HOPE with NZTRIO (Friday, 15 November)
NZTrio He Taonga Wairere 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-termcare of Te Whare o Rehua. Book your tickets to attend this exciting event.
HENRY SARJEANT’S BIRTHDAY (Wednesday, 19 November)
The Sarjeant Gallery will host a history talk with Curator of Collections Jennifer Taylor, exploring the lives of the founding benefactor of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, Henry Sarjeant, and his wife Ellen Neame. This illustrated talk celebrates Henry Sarjeant’s birthday by delving into the gallery’s origins and the lasting legacy of this influential couple.
Later, from 3.30-4.30pm, historian Scott Flutey will lead a historic walk through Sarjeant Street, showcasing 1910s domestic architecture, and culminating at Henry Sarjeant’s grave at Heads Road Cemetery. The walk begins at the cemetery’s main entrance on Guyton Street.
EDITH COLLIER WEEKEND (23-24 November 2024)
Our Edith Collier Weekend offers a deep dive into the life and legacy of the renowned New Zealand modernist artist and associated topics. On Saturday 23 November, the day starts with the panel discussion, Women and Art in Aotearoa, featuring Jill Trevelyan, Lissa Mitchell, Kirsty Baker, Hanahiva Rose, facilitated by Tina Barton, who will explore fresh perspectives on the contributions of women to New Zealand art history.
Simultaneously, children can enjoy Storytime in the classroom with engaging stories and activities. The afternoon wraps up with a curators’ tour by the authors of Edith Collier: Early New Zealand Modernist, Jill Trevelyan, Jennifer Taylor, and Greg Donson.
On Sunday 24 November, the weekend continues with a lecture by Jill Trevelyan, titled Edith Collier: Adventure in Art, focusing on Collier’s transformative years in England and Ireland and her bold experimentation with modernism. The day concludes with the Exhibition Lightning Kōrero, where contributing writers discuss selected artworks from the Edith Collier exhibition, offering unique insights into her artistic journey and enduring influence.
ART AND LEGACY WEEKEND (7-8 December 2024)
The Art and Legacy Weekend at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery 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 gallery’s rich heritage, which shapes its exciting future.
On Saturday 7 December, heritage architect Chris Cochran, and Whanganui Libraries Manager, Pete Gray will give a talk on the design of the heritage gallery. Artist Alexis Neal will discuss her project Holding Space and research into important local figure, Pura McGregor, as part of an Artist Kōrero session, followed by a screening of the Waka Huia documentary about Tā Te Atawhai Archie Taiaroa, and the inaugural Bill Milbank Memorial Lecture with Professor Deidre Brown in the evening.
On Sunday 8 December, the weekend continues with a tour of the gallery’s collection displays, offering insight into its history and key acquisitions. In the afternoon, Dr. Linda Tyler will give a talk honouring Gordon H. Brown, the gallery’s first director, in celebration of the gallery’s new library and the Gordon H. Brown Reading Room.
The weekend concludes with an artist talk by Matthew McIntyre-Wilson, where he will discuss his new solo project with Senior Curator Greg Donson, providing further reflections on the historical research and legacies of ancestral practices that inform contemporary art practice.
Gallery Opening Hours:
- From Saturday 9 November to Sunday 8 December: 10am – 6pm daily. The Cafe and Shop: 8.30am to 6pm daily
- From Monday 9 December onwards: 10am – 5pm daily. The Cafe and Shop: 8.30am to 5pm daily
Visit sarjeant.org.nz for the full Summer of Art programme of events.