The North Otago Art Society, twinned with the
Blackpool Art Society, was founded in the
early 1930's and we hope it will carry on for many
more years. We have as our patrons, Colin and
Phyllis Wheeler. Colin, a well known local artist,
originally taught art at the Waitaki Boys High
School in Oamaru, later becoming a freelance artist.
He wrote and illustrated books about sheep stations
in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. He
has also drawn murals (depicting local scenes),
which are displayed in a hotel in Omarama, and he
has made a series of impressive panels illustrating
North Otago. These have recently been exhibited
in the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru, and these along
with many other paintings he has done, are a
valuable record of features of the area.

the Customs House to be that building. This building is part of the Historic Precinct, an area of buildings designed in the Victorian style and constructed of Oamaru stone, (the beautiful local limestone). A great deal of work was carried out by the Historic Places
Trust and by members of the society, to make it habitable, as the building was in a bad state of disrepair.

There are several groups which meet regularly in the Customs House, two
Painting groups, a China Painting group and a Poetry group. The North Otago
Photographic Society also holds their monthly meetings there. A display of
members paintings in the Customs House Gallery is regularly renewed and the
gallery is opened at the weekends to visitors.

Our President is Norm Pavelka. If you look at the photograph of the Customs house you will see the sign and paint brush which are his work. He is a woodcarver and metalworker as well as a painter. The Art Society meetings prior to 1989, were held in rooms above the North Otago Museum, rooms that were specially refurbished by Laurie McBeath with the Art Soci ety in mind. Some members were keen that the Art Society should have its own premises and chose

Many very talented artists have been members of
the Society. We display paintings on a regular
basis in the Westpac Bank and in the Public
Library. The Society hosts two biennial
exhibitions. One is for members only and is
displayed in the Customs House Gallery. The
otheris open to all artists resident in the South
Island and is generously sponsored by the Oamaru
Licensing Trust. This exhibition is held in the
Forrester Gallery, where we have the assistance
of professional staff.