Sarjeant Gallery receives $5000 boost from Rotary Club of Whanganui

Rotary Club of Whanganui president Stuart Hylton (left) presents a cheque for $5000 to Sarjeant Gallery Trust chairwoman Nicola Williams.

Inspired Whanganui Rotarians have donated $5000 to the redevelopment project for the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui (the house of inspiration).

Rotary Club of Whanganui president Stuart Hylton presented a cheque to Nicola Williams, chairwoman of the Sarjeant Gallery Trust, at the club's meeting on Monday. A large bequest by Henry Sarjeant enabled the Sarjeant Gallery to be built, with the building project starting in 1917 and completed in 1919.

"A hundred years ago, Henry Sarjeant was the inspiration in our community," Hylton said.

"Henry Sarjeant said the gallery was for the inspiration of ourselves and those who come after us. This year the Rotary international motto is 'let's inspire'.

"The $35 million project is huge and we wish you all the best for the development and the huge project you are undertaking."

Williams said the $5000 donation was a huge boost for the fundraising project.

"Because work hasn't started, fundraising is a little bit slow at the moment," Williams said.

"We still have funds to raise but we have huge support from the Whanganui region and around New Zealand. We are right on the map for arts and heritage in New Zealand. Our heartfelt thanks for your support."

Williams paid tribute to the gallery staff, saying they were doing an outstanding job despite the challenges of working in temporary premises on Taupo Quay.

Hylton said the $5000 was primarily raised through Rotary Book Fairs held in the past few years.

The gallery's curator of collections Jennifer Taylor Moore gave a presentation about the life and work of Whanganui artist Edith Collier at the meeting.

Sarjeant Gallery curator of collections Jennifer Taylor Moore gave a presentation about artist Edith Collier.