Chapel exhibition art to delight | Oamaru News | Local News in Oamaru

Artwork by former participants in the Teschemakers summer art schools, which were held over two years during the early 1990s, will feature in the Teschemakers Summer School exhibition.

It will be held at the Forrester Gallery on March 9.

The exhibition is part of celebrations for the Teschemakers ex-pupils centennial to be held in Oamaru from March 23 to 25.

Sister Mary Horn, who was involved in the organisation of the summer schools, said they attracted art lovers from many parts of the world.

"We had people from Japan, Australia, England and of course, New Zealand," she told the Oamaru Mail.

"Artist Patrick Heron came from England to teach at one of the schools and oversaw five large panels which he wanted erected on the walls and floor of the Parkside Quarry.

"Because they were very large, they were very difficult to control in the wind, so eventually, they were laid on the floor of the quarry."

The large canvasses are now located on the West Coast, but won't be making the journey to Oamaru for the exhibition.

"They are very big and it would take a truck or something similar to bring them over," Sister Mary Horn said.

"We would also be limited for space if one or more of them was to be hung at the Forrester Gallery."

Artwork for the exhibition will feature works from some of those who participated in the summer schools, including an etching by Audrey Bascand entitled "Turret Room".

"This painting will be familar to past-pupils of the school because it was the attic room, with a large window and everyone wanted to be in there," she said.

Other pieces, including portraits of Henry and Janetta Teschemaker, which were painted by a roving Italian artist, will come from private collections to the Forrester exhibition.

Sister Mary Horn's contributions will include a new painting, "Teschemaker Panels".

The painting, which is divided into five panels, features pupils in their school uniforms, set against the rural landscape of the area.

Painted in oils, it has been done using a reclaimed cedar window frame from the old house at Teschemakers.

"This gives it a unique link with the school," Sister Mary Horn said.

The frame is also complete with one of the original brass window fastenings.

The exhibition will run from March 9 to April 15.