When I go on holiday I usually visit at least one art gallery in a city. If you are a visitor to Auckland and stay at Aspen House Hotel, the Auckland City art gallery is a short walk down hill.
Keep reading the blog- we will also profile some of the other galleries in the regions that have impressive permanant art collections too.
Often the actual building the art is housed in, is something to appreciate. Some are beautiful old buildings with interesting modern additions, like Auckland or the very contemporary designs of the new Christchurch gallery. The Sarjeant Gallery in Wanganui is a majestic historic house, while Rotorua’s Museum of Art & History, in the old Bath House building.
Many parks near the Galleries also contain interesting sculpture and art. The Domain near Aspen House has a beautiful sculpture walk. Albert Park has attractive gardens and sculpture.
Entry to most public art galleries is free, you might need to buy a ticket to special exhibitions.
The Auckland Gallery is under going a major refurb and re-build -see how impressive it will look above. The art is over the road in the New Gallery. Right now and until November 1 there is a wonderful Rita Angus exhibition.
‘Picturing History: Goldie to Cotton’ goes until February 2010. The Gallery is on the corner of Wellesley and Lorne Streets – just up form Queen St and opposite the main library. You walk through Albert Park from Aspen to get to the gallery.
It is open every day 10-5 except Christmas Day. Admission is free. Permanent collection: 14,000+ works, Durer, Rembrandt, Degas, Hogarth, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Rita Angus, John Pule, Peter Peryer.
