To promote interest in the study of and practice in the Fine and Applied Arts in Otago

History

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". This small beginning flourished to such an extent that by 1897 there were 140 artists and 50 honorary members.

The Society has had many illustrious Presidents over the years, including William Mathew Hodgkins, Sir Lindo Ferguson, David Theomin, Sir Percy Sargood, Sir Thomas Sidey to name a few. At times the Society boasted a who's who of Dunedin with many of the bastions of early Dunedin commerce lending their support.

In the early years Hodgkins, father of the world-famous painter Frances Hodgkins, encouraged the purchase of works for an 'Art Collection' that was temporarily housed in the Municipal Building. Two exceptional examples of acquisitions were Petrus van der Velden's majestic Mountain Stream Otira Gorge and Frances Hodgkins' Ayesha.

In 1922 the OAS amalgamated with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. The Society at the time signed over all its assets which included its painting collection. But the relationship proved quite unsatisfactory, so on 24 July 1930 `divorce' proceedings were instituted. So began a new era of the society, one in which the artists would control the activities of the Art Society.

The OAS existed for most of its life in hired premises with exhibitions over the years held in such places as the Museum Foyer, Municipal Chambers, Public Art Gallery, Concert Chamber, Pioneer and Garrison Halls, while committee meetings were held in diverse locations such as private homes, the Moran Building and the billiard saloon above the former Tip Top Milk Bar in the Octagon.

In 1968 president Shona McFarlane, suggested that the old Dunedin North Post Office, destined for demolition, would provide admirable permanent headquarters. Shona led the campaign to preserve the Post Office which finally became reality after much hard work and extensive fundraising by the council and society members of the day.

On 30 April 1972 the OAS had finally established its own 'home'. After 33 years at that site the OAS moved to the prestigious Dunedin Railway Station building in Anzac Avenue, relocating in February 2007.

Over the years since 1930 the OAS has purchased and been donated a large collection of paintings from members. These are displayed in a Permanent Collection in the Shona McFarlane Gallery (right), the central hall at the Art Station.

This watercolour landscape by William Mathew Hodgkins, was purchased in 2009 by the Society for its Permanent Collection and is on display in the Shona McFarlane Gallery. It shows his house in West Harbour, Dunedin, where he lived in the late 1880s, looking towards the city. Hodgkins was a founder of the Otago Art Society and president from 1880 to 1898, when he died. His wife may be depicted as the woman hanging out the washing.