Open to the public all year round, the beautiful gardens surrounding the Aigantighe Art Gallery offers the perfect space for a gentle stroll or a family picnic under the trees.

The Sculpture Garden

Set on over two acres, the gardens are home to over 25 sculptures including works by Fred Graham, Buck Nin, and Pat Foster.

Thirteen of these sculptures were the result of an international Stone Carving Symposium that was held at Maungati in South Canterbury in February 1990. The concept for the symposium was developed by Darcy Nicholas, Lady Elworthy, Sir Peter Elworthy, Dawn Sommerville and Phillipa Graham over a two year period. The final line-up of sculptors that attended the symposium included Arnold Wilson, Bernard Matamera, Matt Pine, Locardia Ndandarika, Bernard Takawira, Albert McCarthy, Atsuo Okamoto, Fred Graham, Buck Nin, Dan de Har, Darcy Nicolas, John Bevan Ford and Nicholas Mukomberanwa. The sculptors used a stone known as Mt Somers Stone, a fine white limestone that was quarried from the Vincent Lime Quarry. At the conclusion of the symposium the finished sculptures were gifted to the nation, and the garden surrounding the Aigantighe Art Gallery was chosen as the site for their ongoing display.

While enjoying the beautiful gardens we ask all visitors to walk with care; supervise young children; refrain from climbing on sculptures; keep dogs on leads at all times; and take your rubbish with you when you leave.