A blessing ceremony has marked the completion of the construction phase of the new Mahara Gallery and opened the way for Gallery staff re-occupy the building and begin the work needed for reopening.
The ceremony was held on Wednesday 19 April, led by Kāpiti Kaumatua Te Rakauoteora Te Maipi (Koro Don).
Representatives of the project partners, Mahara Gallery Trust Board, Kāpiti Coast District Council and the Field Collection Trust as well as Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai and the Waikanae Community Board took part.
‘This is a project that has been more than 20 years in the making,’ said Mahara Gallery Trust Board Chairman, Gordon Shroff.
‘Each major milestone along the reconstruction journey has been significant and exciting for the Board as well as the Gallery’s many friends and supporters.
When the new Mahara opens, they will, I’m sure, be delighted with a modern Gallery that has double the number of exhibition galleries and almost triple the amount of exhibition space.
Apart from the important consideration of providing a home for the Field Collection, we will be able to better serve our community as the district gallery and contribute to the artistic life of the greater Wellington region.’
Gordon Shroff says that although there are some elements related to commissioning the Gallery’s sophisticated environmental and security control systems that have unpredictable timeframes, the Board is targeting August (2023) for a series of community opening events.
Kāpiti Coast District Council Mayor, Janet Holborow said that after nearly 20 years of planning, fundraising and construction, reaching the milestone of practical completion was a hugely significant milestone.
‘This beautiful gallery will provide a permanent home for the nationally significant Field Collection of art works, a focal point for local iwi taonga and a district-wide forum for artists and those with an interest in the visual arts.’
The Field Collection includes 24 paintings by Frances Hodgkins, New Zealand’s most celebrated expatriate painter. It is the largest collection of her works in public ownership outside Te Papa and Auckland and Dunedin public art galleries.
The Field Collection Trustee Kay Brown said it has been 25 years since she and her fellow trustees were entrusted with the custody of the Field Collection.
‘During this time, our focus has been on finding a suitable home for the collection and we are delighted we are now within reach of achieving this,’ said Mrs Brown.
Although construction of the building is largely complete, the hoardings around the the building will stay in place for a few more months while landscaping and exterior works take place.
