Otago Art Society

The Otago Art Society (OAS) is a New Zealand art society and gallery organisation based in Dunedin. Established in 1876, it describes itself as New Zealand's first art society. It operates from the first floor of the historic Dunedin Railway Station at 22 Anzac Avenue, where it maintains four galleries, a gift shop and a permanent collection. The society's stated purpose is to promote interest in the study and practice of the fine and applied arts in Otago. The society holds regular exhibitions of work by its artist members, as well as corporate-sponsored exhibitions open to artists from further afield within New Zealand. All exhibitions are open for public viewing. Its galleries and gift shop are open daily to the public, Sunday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Examples of its programming include the Rangi Takō Winterstellar Exhibition, showcasing astrophotography from 21 astrophotographers, and the Spring Exhibition sponsored by Ryman Healthcare. Membership is open to both artists and non-artists. The society traces its origins to a small group of "gentlemen, favourable to the formation of a society of arts in Dunedin". By 1897 it had grown to 140 artists and 50 honorary members. Its early history includes the acquisition of significant works for an art collection, an amalgamation with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society in 1922, and a subsequent separation in 1930 that began a new era in which artists controlled the society's activities. Today the society maintains friendly relations with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and other galleries. The Otago Art Society is a membership-based cultural organisation rather than a commercial manufacturer, but it functions as a branded cultural institution and retail destination through its galleries and gift shop, selling artwork for viewing and purchase. It is a long-standing Dunedin institution whose permanent collection includes a self-portrait by Elizabeth Kelly CBE (1877–1946).

The Otago Art Society was formed in 1876 by a small group of "gentlemen, favourable to the formation of a society of arts in Dunedin". Its purpose was to promote interest in the study of and practice in the fine and applied arts in Otago. The small beginning flourished: by 1897 the society had 140 artists and 50 honorary members. In its early years the society encouraged the purchase of works for an "Art Collection" that was temporarily housed in the Municipal Building. William Mathew Hodgkins, described as the "Father of Art in New Zealand" and the second President of the OAS from 1880 to 1898, encouraged these acquisitions. Two exceptional examples were Petrus van der Velden's "Mountain Stream Otira Gorge" and Frances Hodgkins' "Ayesha". Hodgkins was the father of the world-famous painter Frances Hodgkins. The society has had many illustrious presidents over the years, including William Mathew Hodgkins, Sir Lindo Ferguson, David Theomin, Sir Percy Sargood and Sir Thomas Sidey. At times the society boasted a who's who of Dunedin, with many of the bastions of early Dunedin commerce lending their support. Many well-known artists have also served as presidents. In 1922 the OAS amalgamated with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society. At that time the OAS signed over all its assets, including its painting collection. The relationship proved unsatisfactory, and on 24 July 1930 "divorce" proceedings were instituted. This began a new era of the society, one in which artists would control the activities of the Art Society. Today, relations between the two bodies and the galleries are friendly. The society subsequently led what its own history describes as a "peripatetic existence", moving between premises before settling into its current home on the first floor of the historic Dunedin Railway Station at 22 Anzac Avenue. There it operates four galleries, a gift shop and its permanent collection. The permanent collection includes a self-portrait by Elizabeth Kelly CBE (1877–1946). The society continues to hold regular exhibitions of artist members' work, as well as corporate-sponsored exhibitions open to artists further afield within New Zealand. All are open for public viewing. Recent programming has included the Rangi Takō Winterstellar Exhibition, showcasing astrophotography works from 21 astrophotographers, and the Spring Exhibition sponsored by Ryman Healthcare.

• 1930

  On 24 July, 'divorce' proceedings begin, leading to a new era in which artists control the society's activities.

• 1922

  OAS amalgamates with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society, signing over all assets including its painting collection.

• 1897

  Society grows to 140 artists and 50 honorary members.

• 1880

  William Mathew Hodgkins becomes second President of the OAS, serving until 1898.

• 1876

  Otago Art Society formed by a small group of gentlemen in Dunedin.

New Zealand's first art society; a membership-based cultural institution and public gallery destination in Dunedin.

• Art exhibitions

• Artwork for viewing and purchase

• Gift shop

• Permanent collection

• Membership

1. 1Otago Art Society - Dunedin Art Gallery - NZ's First Art Societyotagoartsociety.co.nz
2. 2History - Otago Art Societyotagoartsociety.co.nz
3. 3Otago Art Societywikidata.org