Wellington City Art Gallery

Changing exhibitions of contemporary art are displayed in this former central library. Gummer & Ford were the original architects of the Stripped Classical building.(1935 -40) with the exterior being by New Plymouth architects, Messenger Taylor and Wolfe. The design was the result of a competition.
The gallery does not have a permanent collection and is usually a stimulating place to visit. A small theatre is often used for events such as film and book festivals in particular the New Zealand International film festival normally held in July.
A recent alteration by architect Stuart Gardyne, the architect who converted the library to an art gallery, has remodelled the theatre space in an inspired way, cladding it in rusted steel without detracting from the original building. The remodelling has provided new galleries to show Wellington art.
The Nikau Gallery Café with its sheltered sunny outdoor space can be an ideal place to relieve any cultural overload. It serves Supreme coffee.
'Fault' a collaborative work by Bill Culbert and Ralph Hotere sits across the City Square face of the building.