Good news for your Thursday! We have a new Guide and Hunt ready for your school holidays... this one shows you around the art history trail at Caroline Bay and Pātītī Point. It includes tips on how to read a painting with your kids, some info about Timaru and the project... and then as you spy the signs you can connect to the artists, and their work to learn about our past people and place. See if you can find all of the signs! wuhootimaru.co.nz/signs
The Bay continues to develop as a place to play by volunteers. In the 1930s thousands used to visit Timaru for the carnivals and shows. In the 2000's a sculpture trail was installed. In 2023 a new playground opened, designed to reflect the area's stories through themed play and integrated artwork.
The wealth accumulated by the Port and industries like agriculture, helped support the arts. This is one of the reasons why the art from the Canterbury region is so strong. The arts community, educators, and societies consistently supported artists, offering a progressive platform that nurtured creativity and art collecting.
Many of these artworks are cared for in the Aigantighe Art Gallery’s collection, which was established in 1956 with 80 works from the Grant family and the South Canterbury Arts Society.
The significant permanent collection has grown to over 1,500 artworks, many of which were donated. The collection includes works from New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia, and Europe, dating from the sixteenth century to the present day.
You can explore some of these artworks along the coastal trail, connecting with Timaru’s people and stories of the past through the eyes of artists.
The Aigantighe Art Gallery is free to visit at 49 Wai-iti Road, Timaru.
The Friends of the Aigantighe are volunteers and a registered charity that supports the Gallery, the Friends group, and the wider community in inspiring a love of art.
These signs are a collaboration between Aigantighe staff, volunteers, and WuHoo Timaru. Artworks were commissioned and gifted to the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
These commissions, along with selected works from the Gallery’s collection, were photographed and printed onto signs.
Artist and historical information was included, along with photographs from the South Canterbury Museum.
The signs have been installed at Benvenue Cliffs, Caroline Bay Playground. Boardwalk, The Bay Hill, Marine Parade, and Pātītī Point. Each sign was placed to ensure the artwork relates meaningfully to the surrounding view or the theme of the location.