At the heart of Oamaru’s Victorian precinct find the Grainstore Gallery, one of the forward-thinking institutions responsible for a resurgence of visitors and cultural events in the town. The Grainstore Gallery is the brainchild of local artist Donna Dementé and, as its name suggests, is housed within a 19th-century Victorian grain house. Visit the gallery to discover the work of a group of local artists whose quirky take on art has helped cement the city as an integral part of New Zealand’s cultural landscape.
Wander through the cavernous building to discover one-of-a-kind works by the rich local artistic community. Alongside a large body of work by Dementé, see works by Dyan Prujean, Kate Kovacs and Watts Davies. Pieces range from paintings on canvas to large sculpture work and hint at the relationship between the contemporary and the past using elements of the Renaissance and Byzantine eras.
Climb the stairs to a showroom filled with masks made of papier-mâché and other items. A small fashion boutique within the gallery sells notecards and posters, one-off artisan items and a collection of ephemera. Pick up hand-made souvenirs to take home or have them shipped internationally by the gallery’s delivery service to avoid having to carry items on your travels.
Spend an evening at the Grainstore Gallery to enjoy a live performance. Throughout the summer musical events are programmed by the gallery, featuring local and touring musicians. Listen to an acoustic folk performance in the company of local residents before making your way to one of the nearby restaurants and bars.
The Grainstore Gallery is located on Harbour Street in the heart of the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru. The gallery is open daily and free to enter however, some performances may be subject to an admission fee. Walk here from central Oamaru. Find parking by the harbour.
