Nelson Tasman is fortunate to have The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū, which many people don’t realise is also free to visit. Curator and collections manager Dr Kyla MacKenzie sings its praises, “It has an outstanding permanent collection and I have long been familiar with its reputation for punching above its weight in the regional art scene with the quality of exhibitions that take place here. To have added facilities such as the theatre, café and gallery store onsite is such an asset to the community.”
Three galleries allow a wide range of work to be shown. One showcases rotating exhibitions of pieces from the permanent collection with different themes. Currently ‘Night Life’, including some works on loan, celebrates the diverse ways artists see the night. “The night is a very potent, universal theme, and often used for symbolic value. The artworks exploring this subject range from the profound to the whimsical, the sumptuous to the spooky,” says Kyla.
The other galleries offer a mixture of individual and group shows. Currently these are ‘Gathered Voices - Highlights from the Fletcher Trust Art Collection’, one of the most prestigious of the country’s corporate art collections and contemporary artist Kāryn Taylor’s intriguing and colourful two and three-dimensional works. At various times throughout the year The Nelson Suter Art Society holds exhibitions, adding to the rich texture of work on display.
The gallery’s store has become a go-to destination to purchase art and craft. With an array that includes the likes of ceramics, jewellery, art, homewares, books, cards and textiles, it is a popular place to choose a gift.
An exciting development underway behind the scenes is the task of putting photos of the permanent collection online on the gallery’s website so that works can be seen at any time. “This is a great resource that, when complete, will allow anyone to explore the range of art collected over 125 years, with ease,” says Kyla.
For those interested in learning more about art, the gallery offers hands-on learning experiences through its range of educational programmes for all ages. “It is exciting to be able to provide opportunities for children as young as pre-schoolers to learn to appreciate and enjoy art,” says Kyla. There is a Suter Kids Club which runs weekly after-school art classes for kids, adult art classes, one-off workshops and a variety of events from exhibition openings to artist talks.
“We love it when people take the opportunity to join up as a Friend of The Suter,” says Kyla. “Friends get many great advantages such as shop discounts and invitations to exhibition openings.”
A visit to The Suter Art Gallery is not complete without a treat from the welcoming Suter Café with delicious Havana Coffee and gourmet food, including gluten and dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
