Aigantighe Art Gallery marks 50 years of support from the Friends of the Aigantighe with exhibition An Taigh / The House: Held, opening Saturday August 15.

Founded in August 1976, the Friends of the Aigantighe have spent half a century championing the Gallery through fundraising, advocacy, volunteering, and community engagement. This exhibition opening falls within days of that founding anniversary, marking the group's Golden Jubilee.

Aigantighe Art Gallery Exhibition Curator Izzy Hillman said the exhibitions Scottish Gaelic title acknowledges the origins of the Gallery’s name. While the modern Gaelic phrase is aig an taigh, meaning “at home”, the historic spelling “Aigantighe” has become a distinctive part of Timaru’s identity. An Taigh, “The House”, reflects both the Gallery’s Scottish heritage and its continuing role as South Canterbury’s home of art.

"When we began developing 'An Taigh / The House: Held', we kept returning to the idea of connection. The Friends' story isn't one defined by a single achievement, but by thousands of acts of generosity and care that have linked artists, donors, volunteers, visitors and staff across generations.

"The exhibition celebrates the people who have quietly sustained the Gallery for 50 years. Every artwork acquired, every event supported, every volunteer shift and every act of advocacy has become part of the fabric of this place. Together those contributions have helped make the Aigantighe not simply a gallery, but a home for art and community," she said.

Friends of the Aigantighe President Dr Jill Harland said the Jubilee was an opportunity to celebrate the generations of volunteers who have shared a belief in the value of public art over the decades.

"Aigantighe's House Gallery has an intimate quality that connects visual art with the history and character of Timaru."

Aigantighe Art Gallery Director Cara Fitzgerald said the Friends' contribution over the past 50 years builds on a legacy set down decades earlier.

"The Friends of the Aigantighe are part of the enduring legacy of former Director Ainslie Manson. His vision established a model that remains at the heart of the Friends today: supporting the Gallery, championing the arts, and helping ensure the Aigantighe continues to thrive for future generations.

“Over the past 50 years, that commitment has strengthened our buildings, collection, exhibitions and connection with the South Canterbury community,” she said.

Formed to encourage interest in the Gallery, in the mid-1970s, 300 members of the community came together to support exhibitions, and help build the public art collection for South Canterbury.

In the decades since, they have backed the 1978 gallery extension, helped fund the climate-controlled painting store completed in 1995, contributed to the conservation of significant artworks, and staffed a volunteer front desk for close to 25 years as well as supporting the restoration of the Aigantighe Heritage House, contributing $25,000 towards the seismic strengthening and restoration finished before the building reopened in December 2024.

“The Friends now operates as an independent incorporated society and registered charity, working alongside Timaru District Council and Gallery staff on exhibitions, acquisitions, public programmes and the ongoing care of South Canterbury's public art collection,” Izzy said.

An Taigh / The House: Held also looks at the broader story of art in South Canterbury, linking the Gallery to early Scottish settlement, its permanent collection and local groups such as the Beverley Road Studio Artists.

“Fifty years on, the Friends' focus hasn't shifted from what it was in 1976, encouraging a love of art, and keeping the Aigantighe South Canterbury's home of art for years to come,” she said.

Exhibition will run from August 15 to October 11.