Covid Update
(3 December 2021)
Percy Thomson Gallery is open under the Orange setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Vaccine passes are not required. Capacity limits are in place based on 1 metre physical distancing.
To continue to keep our staff and community safe visitors must wear a face covering, record their visit by scanning in using the NZ COVID Tracer App or by completing the paper based form available at the gallery.
Event and gathering restrictions may apply. This may change. Please check back regularly.
Holiday Hours
The gallery will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, January 1 and 2.
Percy Thomson Gallery is Stratford's public art gallery and was opened in June 2002 following a bequest to the district by former mayor and businessman Percy Thomson. The gallery is operated by a trust, under the umbrella of the Stratford District Council.
The gallery has developed and grown over the years, now receiving national recognition as a thriving and diverse exhibition space catering for all age groups and interests and involving the community at large.
The gallery provides an extensive programme of exhibitions and events both internally-generated and toured from other art collections and national institutions.
New exhibitions open every three to four weeks. Exhibitions vary between national, local and regional artists – established and emerging.
Gallery director Rhonda Bunyan says Percy Thomson Gallery has become a regional ‘love-mark’, and has represented most Taranaki artists in some capacity over the past 20 years.
‘Whist we have an outstanding national reputation and have formed strong relationships with national entities such as Te Papa Tongarewa and the Portrait Gallery of NZ, it is the grassroots promotion of the province’s many talented artists that is our driving force. Our artists appreciate our ongoing commitment to them.’
More than 20,000 visitors come to the gallery each year, with some exhibitions drawing regular visitors from throughout Aotearoa.
Over the years Percy Thomson Gallery has presented some prestigious exhibitions:
‘Remembering Rodin’, developed and toured by Te Papa Tongarewa, provided a rare opportunity to experience Rodin’s legacy through the sculpture ‘Eve’ (1882); ‘Marti Freidlander: Portraits of the Artists’ toured by NZ Portrait Gallery; ‘Toss Wollaston’, the Wallace Trust Collection; ‘Arrival, NZ Treasures from the BNZ Collection’; ‘Nigel Brown: I am, We are’.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary Bunyan has curated an exhibition, ‘The Art of Resilience’ which features work by 68 senior Taranaki artists who have spent years honing their skills, and who have been through the ‘associated ups and downs’ that go with giving your life over to creating art on a regular basis.
Bunyan has also edited a book with all participating artists' personal profiles, with meaningful insights into their practice and how they view their place in the world of art.
18 December 2021 to 30 January 2022
Curated by Rhonda Bunyan
An exhibition by established Taranaki artists who have been invited to explore ‘the art of resilience' through new works to celebrate Percy Thomson Gallery’s 20th birthday.
Kia ora. Welcome to Percy Thomson Gallery
Percy Thomson Gallery is Stratford's public art gallery and was opened in June 2002.
The gallery has developed and grown over the years, now receiving national recognition as a thriving and diverse exhibition space catering for all age groups and interests and involving the community at large.
New exhibitions start every three to four weeks, and vary between national, local and regional artists – established and emerging.
ARTWORK
Percy Thomson portrait by Donna Willard-Moore. This portrait was painted for a future bronze-relief work by Donna.
Percy's Place is our boutique art shop featuring high-quality work by local artists.
OPEN 7 DAYS
Weekdays 10.30am — 3.30pm, Weekends 10.30am – 2.30pm
Address
Percy Thomson Gallery
Prospero Place
56 Miranda Street
Stratford
Telephone & Email
06 765 0917
Email
Gallery Director
Opening hours
10.30am – 4.00pm weekdays
10.30am – 3.00pm weekends
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day,
New Year's Day January 1, and January 2, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day
and between exhibitions
