Current Events
The Gallery extends its exhibition programme through a diverse range of events and activities that are designed to enrich your experience of visual discovery. Our public programmes range from workshops to artist talks and include guided tours and film screenings.
Two O’Clock Tours | Rachel Ratten
In her new exhibition The Construction of Colour, Rachel Ratten lets her textiles take over, creating works that are fluid and painterly using a technique she calls ‘improv quilting’.
Interested in quilting, painting, and all things colourful? Join us on our Two O'Clock Tour to hear more!
Every second Sunday at 2pm we run a 20 minute tour of one of our exhibitions, and on Sunda...
Sunday 04 June, 2pm
Art Addicts
Art Addicts (AA) is the Gallery’s weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the AAGM to get creative and explore different materials and themes in art. AA is all about a fun, shared learning experience for all who attend. We encourage parents and grandparents to join in on the fun too!
There is no need to book, just drop in anytime between...
EVERY WEDNESDAY 3:00 – 4:30PM | DURING SCHOOL TERMS
In Colour | Arts and Crafts Sessions
In Colour is a great way to unwind and relax with like-minded people. Bring along your art and craft projects to share with others over morning tea once a month.
These are social sessions that encourage you to connect with others through creativity. Be inspired to learn a new creative pastime. Sessions are free and new members are always welcome.
The Gallery will supply ba...
09 June 2023, 10.30-12.00
Two O’Clock Tours | Indigo
Representing the various disciplines of ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media, Indigo is an artist collective that was born out of a commitment to support one another. While the eight artists are connected through their home of Central Otago, their art practices differ significantly, resulting in a lavish range of works that have taken over the gallery.
Where to st...
Sunday 21 May, 2pm
Samoan Cultural Awareness Workshop
Join us on the 29th of May for a Cultural Awareness Workshop showcasing Samoa!
29 May 2023, 10.30am
Artist Talk | Rachel Ratten
At our upcoming artist talk, join artist Rachel Ratten in conversation with curator James Hope as they discuss her new exhibition, The Construction of Colour.
Despite being an avid quilter for 20 years, Timaru-based artist Rachel Ratten is more widely known as a painter and printmaker. Since completing her MFA in painting at the University of Canterbury in 2015, however, quilting has...
11 June 2023, 2pm
Two O’Clock Tours | Gabby O’Connor
In the Antarctic, moisture particles in the air can freeze and act as tiny prisms, reflecting a rainbow of light that creates twinkling clouds known as ‘diamond dust’. In All the Colours, All the Light, Gabby O’Connor uses these same principles to sculpt with light.
Want to know more about Gabby's Antarctic inspiration? The Art Gallery and Museum’s Two O’Clock Tours are your...
07 May 2023, 2pm
Exhibition opening | Indigo | Rachel Ratten | Ashburton College
Join us for the opening of three new exhibitions: Indigo, Rachel Ratten's The Construction of Colour, and Ashburton College's I am human, I am not a robot.
Indigo is a Centra...
12 May, 2023, 6pm
Book Launch | Ashburton on the Move
Join us to celebrate the launch of Michael Hanrahan's new book, Ashburton on the Move - 150 years of relocating buildings in the Ashburton District.
Michael Hanrahan's new book will have an official launch on May 17 at 5.30pm at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum!
This new book, published by the Ashburton Museum & Historical Society, is over 200 page...
17 May 2023, 5.30pm
Kōrero | Sharing the Burdens: Conscription in Canterbury during WWII
Join us for a kōrero by David Littlewood, Senior History Lecturer at Massey University, about some of the lesser known aspects of Canterbury’s WWII Home Front story.
During the initial stages of the Second World War, the New Zealand government adopted sweeping powers to conscript men into the army. When conscription was subsequently extended into the industrial sphere and made applicable to ...
07 June 2023, 6pm
Kōrero | Stories from the Canterbury Home Front during WWII
Join us for a kōrero by Angela Wanhalla, Professor of History at the University of Otago, about some of the lesser known aspects of Canterbury’s WWII Home Front story.
This illustrated talk explores some of the lesser known aspects of Canterbury’s Second World War Home Front story from the women who married American servicemen, and their fate, through to Māori engagement in the patriotic ...
21 May 2023, 1pm
Competition | Gabby O’Connor
There’s no question that Gabby O’Connor’s work All the Colours, All the Light is photogenic – some have even described it as ‘instagram-able’. Let’s put that to the test!
We want you to get creative and take an awesome photo or video of yourself with Gabby’s work before the exhibition closes on May 26. To enter, post your creation to any of these platforms:
• Instagram: Pos...
03 April - 26 May 2023
Caption This
Museum Exhibition Space, 10AM - 4PM daily
Throughout our Humour Me - The Funny Side of Town exhibition we are inviting visitors to come up with captions for a few of the cartoons that are held in the Museum’s collection.
Three $50 Paper Plus vouchers are up for grabs for our favourite 3 captions. This competition is open to all ages and you are welcome to enter as many times as yo...
18 February - 19 June 2023
Art Addicts
Art Addicts (AA) is the Gallery’s weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the AAGM to get creative and explore different materials and themes in art. AA is all about a fun, shared learning experience for all who attend. We encourage parents and grandparents to join in on the fun too!
There is no need to book, just drop in anytime between...
EVERY WEDNESDAY 3:00 – 4:30PM | DURING SCHOOL TERMS