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Culture 101 is in Whanganui for the opening weekend of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, speaking to innovators, and creative movers and shakers in this international UNESCO city of design.
The gallery project is billed as the largest arts development in the Lower North Island since Te Papa opened, in 1998.
One of the country’s grandest and oldest galleries, the Sarjeant has had a $70 million restoration and extension - Te Pātaka o Sir Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa wing.
The gallery closed in 2014 after being considered an earthquake risk.
It has been ‘newly reimagined’ with the extension from architects Warren and Mahoney, in a codesign partnership with Whanganui iwi.
Nicola Williams Photo: supplied
A key figure in the gallery’s reopening is the gallery Trust's chair Nicola Williams, who has spearheaded an impressive fundraising campaign.
As well as the restoration and earthquake strengthening of the original 1919 building - often lauded as one of the country’s most beautiful public buildings - the new extension has doubled the gallery’s size and created new public facilities.
It has also created significant storage facilities for what is considered the country’s greatest art collection outside the main centres. Previously that collection was in serious risk of damage.
The old Sarjeant, restored. Photo: supplied
For Whanganui, the gallery is much more than just a building. Sitting atop a sand hill in the Pukenamu public gardens, this has previously been a pa site and then a colonial military garrison. There are spectacular views, on a clear day, from the new extension out to Mount Ruapehu one way, and across the city to the sea from the other.
Te Whare o Rehua (a name meaning House of Inspiration, gifted by local iwi in 1995) sits as a beacon. A symbol of the city’s rich heritage and the progressive spirit that built the city.
New granite on the extension, decorated with metal ‘tioata’ or shards - sculptural elements which uniquely imitate the effect of light playing on water. Photo: supplied
The new gallery’s opening has seen iwi gather for the weekend from throughout the region, with a dawn ceremony on Saturday 9 November, to open Te Pātaka o Sir Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa wing, followed by a public opening of the complex.
For the gallery trust chair Nicola Williams it's a huge weekend, after beginning the journey with the redevelopment project with then- Sarjeant director Greg Anderson in 2014.
The redevelopment was committed to in 2019, with a funding partnership between Whanganui District Council, the gallery trust and central government. Funds have also been provided by numerous public and private trusts, corporate sponsorship and individual philanthropy.
Significantly, for a gallery that once symbolised colonial wealth (the original gallery and its running were funded through a bequest by landowner Henry Sarjeant), the redevelopment is a significant bicultural undertaking.
Williams has described the fundraising journey as her life for many years. In 2019 she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her efforts.
Williams is Whanganui born and bred, and being a businesswoman is in her genes. Her late mother Pam Williams (QSO) ran a well known successful fishing business, Whanganui Trawlers. Williams says her “never give up” approach was ingrained in her by her mother from an early age.
As well as working for 18 years in the family company, she has worked for a finance company and merchant bank, as well as being a trustee of many arts and community groups and charities.
She talked with Mark Amery and Perlina Lau live from Te Whare o Rehua, on Culture 101.
The new Gordon H Brown Reading Room in the former entrance of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery Photo: supplied