The Sarjeant Gallery

The heart of the arts in Whanganui is indisputably the 1919 neo-classical Sarjeant Gallery, founded through a grant by local farmer Henry Sarjeant “as a means of inspiration for ourselves and those who come after us”. It is currently undergoing earthquake strengthening and is expected to remain closed until 2020, but an excellent understudy is taking its place. Sarjeant On the Quay’s “super chic urban warehouse space” is described by the gallery’s relationship manager Jaki Arthur as very different but a good location for some of the collection’s 8500 treasures. 38 Taupo Quay. (06) 349 0506, sarjeant.org.nz