When completed, the Morrinsville Art Gallery will provide a base for the James Wallace Arts Trust Collection (www.wallaceartstrust.org.nz) in the Waikato
James Wallace, Chairman of the Wallace Corporation Ltd, at Waitoa in the Matamata Piako district, began collecting N.Z. Art in the mid sixties and his Arts Trust collection now has over 4000 works of art. It is classified as being of National Significance and contains “diary” collections of several of the best known New Zealand artists of recent times.
Constantly acquiring new works, the Collection never sells anything so the body of work remains in its entirety as a cultural resource for present and future generations.
The James Wallace Arts Trust will rotate sections of the collection through the Morrinsville Art Gallery on a continuing schedule. The works on display will change four or five times in a year.
The Morrinsville Art Gallery is grateful for the generosity and assistance of The James Wallace Art Trust.
Canada Street, between Thames and Anderson Streets will be developed as a Precinct focussing much of the culture and heritage of the town and district. The Morrinsville Historical Society will relocate its Museum and historical cottage (The McDonald Cottage) immediately opposite the Art Gallery. Most of Morrinsville Churches are within easy walking distance of the precinct and in particular the precint will also encompass:
- The Information Centre
- Public Library
- Matamata Piako District Council Morrinsville Office
- The Morrinsville Community House
- The Morrinsville Senior Citizens Hall
The Precinct is close to shops and cafes and tourist buses will be able to park near the venue.
It will provide an important addition to the Matamata Piako District which already boasts a number of unique attractions - the spa baths and mountain walks in Te Aroha and Hobbiton in Matamata.
