Ashburton Art Gallery opened in September 1995 in the former County Council building on Baring Square East – the site where the new civic centre and library, Te Whare Whakatere now stands. This milestone capped a ten-year process initiated with a meeting held in 1985 to discuss the need for a public art gallery in Whakatere Ashburton, and the work required to make this a reality.

The opening of this building in 2015, housing both the Museum and the Gallery, marked a new era for Ashburton Art Gallery Incorporated (AAG Inc.), allowing for an expanded exhibition programme within purpose-built facilities to better serve the town.

Now in 2025, its thirtieth year, it has developed a robust collection of regionally and nationally significant artwork. This exhibition spotlights some recent acquistions, demonstrating the breadth and quality of the collection, and the generosity of the community who have entrusted AAG Inc. as kaitiaki (guardians) of their treasured artworks, as well as the responsibility of growing and caring for the collection to the staff of Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.

Image: Jenna Packer, Let That River, 2018, acrylic on aluminium. Ashburton Art Gallery Inc. collection.