Save the McDougall as our Museum of Historical Art

Comments

#1

I am a grandson of Robert McDougall and wish to see the art gallery he donated to the citizens of Christchurch in 1932 used in future in accordance with the terms of his gift.

Timothy Seay (Rakaia R D 12 Canterbury, 2022-12-02)

#3

This building was a gift to the people of Christchurch and needs to be a part of the Museum.

Suzanne Hunter-Welsh (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#4

we need a place for a permanent collection of fine art

John Allison (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#7

I have fond memories of spending weekends at the McDougall as a child and have been saddened at the years it has remained locked up unused for the very purpose it was gifted for.

Bernard McBrearty (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#8

I'm signing the petition because it is vital the McDougall is saved to be used as an art gallery

Ann Seay (Rakaia, 2022-12-02)

#10

This is an important gift to the people of Christchurch and I want it used for its intended purpose.

Chalice Penman (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#11

I want the council to do the right thing, honor the terms of the gift and show the stunning artwork that has been gifted to the city which we never see

Vicki Ferguson (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#12

Mr Seay has said it all. As a personal note, I learned to love the gallery when I was at university in the now Arts' Centre, and have been much saddened that it has not been available to the public for so long, and that we have not been able to see more of the collections it housed.

Lynne McDonald (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#13

Its a beautiful building that was gifted to CHCH as an art gallery not an appendage to the museum

Christine Weston (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#14

This is a significant historic building -purpose built as I understand, & generously gifted to the people of Christchurch/Canterbury/New Zealand. It is a beautiful space worth returning to its former glory & purpose. We have lost so much heritage do the right thing CCC ! Gosh Show some Respect! Just get on with it.

Heather Kelland (Geraldine, 2022-12-02)

#15

This beautiful gallery was a part of my teenage days. I lived 100 metres away. I cannot believe that folk do not want to treat this gift as a treasure. If they don't wanr it, give it back to the donor's family. Bloody iconoclasts.

Kurt Ganzl (Rangiora, 2022-12-02)

#21

It was gifted as a art gallery not to the museum

Chris John (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#24

I believe the McDougall Art Gallery belongs to the people of Christchurch for the purpose of displaying the many historic works of art that are currently stored, as it was gifted.

Jacqueline Cotter (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#26

The building was donated as an art gallery. The city has lots of art lying in storage. Quite a lot of it donated by benefactors. Let people see this art by reopening the McDougall.

William Carroll (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#27

Sothat we can view the historic art works stored - and it be used as an art gallery - as it was gifted to the people of Christchurch for ( not for the Museum to use for their other purposes)

Julie Hutt (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#29

I want to visit the gallery my granddad once exhibited in before.

Jacob Archibald (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#32

This beautiful building needs to be used again as it was meant to be. We need an art gallery that can display the historic art collection which is currently in storage.

Elizabeth Cameron (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#34

I remember it as a gallery, it was fabulous

Jeremy Dyer (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#38

It is a beautiful purpose- built gallery gifted to the people of Christchurch.
I visited the gallery when I was small and was in awe of the wonderful art on display. I want to go back and view it with a more mature eye.

Sue Currie (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#40

This is an iconic building which was donated along with the art work that it can display.

Ed Hadfield (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#50

Canterbury Museum has shown far more interest in contemporary art over the past two decades even though they themselves are a history museum. Christchurch already has an abundance of contemporary art venues. The Robert McDougall Art Gallery was purpose built and is uniquely suited for exhibitions of the city's own collection of historic art. Christchurch and the greater Canterbury region have lost an inordinate amount of built heritage. The opportunity to reunite such an important art collection with its own building should be embraced wholeheartedly.

Sasha Stollman (Lyttelton, 2022-12-02)

#57

It is important that people’s donations are respected.

Lisa Reid (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#63

I love this building. I saw many great exhibitions and attended many events there. It is a classic style gallery layout that works well for exhibitions and it’s unique location in the Botanic Gardens give it extra mana away from a commercial CBD. The experience of going there begins with a walk that prepares the spirit for enlightenment

Paul Kean (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#68

Historical art is amazing in and not something we have much access to in New Zealand. I had no idea this treasure existed until now, albeit mothballed for years. There is so much contemporary art everywhere, the purpose of this building is really unusual and must be maintained and supported.

Stella McQueen (Christchurch, 2022-12-02)

#70

This was a gift to the city and people of Christchurch and it is imperative that this bequest is respected, upheld and maintained to provide historical reference for present and future generations.

Joanne Woon (Auckland, 2022-12-02)

#72

This is a stunning building. I have had the privilege of seeing it.

Kingsley Tobin (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#73

I feel that keeping the Gallery for our paintings, now just in storage would be fantastic for our city and visitors. I cannot understand why this was not a priority. Why not display our historical works? Modern art is not everyones choice to visit. The old art gallery donated to the city should be allowed to continue as an art gallery not for the museum to use.

Lynette Peebles (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#74

The McDougall is an icon in Christchurch. For generations it has displayed beautiful art for hundreds of thousands of people and integrates beautifully with the Museum, Arts Centre, the Botanic Gardens and the nearby new art gallery. It has long been a place of beauty and wonder. Let it continue to be so in our beautiful re-emerging city.

Warren Campbell-Trotter (Addington, 2022-12-03)

#75

It’s such a terrible waste of wonderful building and opportunity.

Eugene Huston (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#77

It’s an important historic building and part of Christchurch’s history, as well as being a focal point for art.

Kara Daly (Wellington, 2022-12-03)

#78

We need a place for the beautiful heritage art work collection to be shown. The city must honour the gift of Robert McDougall to use this building as an art gallery or art museum. NOT a general museum.

Stephanie Pearce (Darfield, 2022-12-03)

#79

The McDougall Art Gallery was a Christchurch treasure gifted to the people of Christchurch specifically for the display of paintings and other 2d art. It was a beautiful building and it is shameful that it has been inaccessible to the public for 2 decades, and even more so that the council decided without consultation to go against the spirit of its gifting by handing it over to the museum.

Rebecca Lovell-Smith (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#85

I wish the historical gallery be used for its historical purposes.

Colleen Foley-Smith (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#89

This beautiful piece of Christchurch history needs to be repaired - NOT eradicated.

Jacqui Wagener (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#90

This resource is a beautiful and generous gift to the city, which should be used for the purpose it was gifted for, NOT just used as and when the museum wants.

Jan Mitchell (Opawa Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#91

I'm signing because I believe the Robert McDougall should be restored and used for its original intended purpose, bringing long hidden artworks back to the public view

Ann Morrell (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#93

I am signing because I have spent many happy hours in this beautiful building with family and want my children to also see our art collection displayed in this wonderful building

Marilyn Wilson (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#94

I insist that this iconic gallery survives.

Matt Garrett (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#97

We should honour the bequest.

Denise Glubb (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#102

The McDougall is a category 1 listed building because of it’s neo classical form. It resonates with other galleries and was built specifically to show art.

It is a gem of a space which has been caught in a maelstrom of bureaucratic delay and engineering and funding maelstrom for far, far too long.

Repaired and restored and returned to the people of Christchurch it can again be the glorious space it was. A space for education, joy and contemplation of our collections.

Belinda Barclay (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#106

I want our traditional art to have a home where it can be displayed to honour the bequests and gifts made to the people of Christchurch and Canterbury

Marie Roberts (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#109

It is a wonderful space that I once worked in and agree it should be the place to exhibit the society founding works . As per the original gift to the city

Gary Collins (Wellington, 2022-12-03)

#114

This is a wonderful building for showing some of the older and more classic art that the new gallery won't and can't be bothered to show. It was a gift to the city and should be used the way it was intended and not have that gift dishonored.

Louette McInnes (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#120

The
Council are inbreach of the original trust deed detailing the use the building and gifted to the citizens of christchurch

Chris Ludeke (Christchurch, 2022-12-03)

#121

There is no art collection tha can show its entire collection.in one place , this is a beautiful building and worthy of being retained to house the extensive collection of art ,fore the benefit of the people New Zealand

Ann Ireland (Cester, 2022-12-03)

#122

I support local art. This was also gifted to the city to celebrate art under the understanding it would never be sold. I don’t support the council with their actions here which are clearly against the McDonald family’s original wishes.

Edward Glubb (Christchurch, 2022-12-04)

#126

I remember manybart trips to this gallery id love to see it in use once more

Moana Barr (Springfield,Canterbury, 2022-12-04)

#129

I loved to go to the Robert McDougall Art Gallery when I was young and have missed it very much since it was closed. It's a beautiful building and the exhibition spaces inside are/were cool, intimate and elegant. It is perfectly suited to the exhibition of the City's historical traditional art, very little of which I have seen on display in the Chch City Art Gallery. I fully support a Robert McDougall Art Musem, strengthened and attached to the Canterbury Museum, (although I sincerely hope we will still be able to enter through the front Portico) and believe it would be a wonderful asset for the City from 2028.

Sian Daly (Christchurch, 2022-12-04)

#133

I agree that the Robert McDougall should be restored to be used for the original purpose it’s donor stipulated.

Jennifer Robertson (Christchurch, 2022-12-04)

#136

I value this wonderful building and the potential it has for future art projects.

Jennifer Cotter (Christchurch, 2022-12-05)

#139

I was born and raised in Christchurch. The McDougall gallery was a gift to the people of Christchurch and must remain as intended

Tamsin Carter (Arrowtown, 2022-12-05)

#141

It is shameful this fine building is not being used for the purpose it was gifted to the city for.

David Moorhouse (Otautahi, 2022-12-05)

#145

this should have been running along time ago - we have enough art in Christchurch to fill and more!!!

brent Adams (christchurch, 2022-12-06)

#149

I'm signing because this place belongs in the community as it is. It is a part of our history and needs to be preserved it hold great memories for me and many others. Has Christchurch not lost enough of its history with the earthquakes. We need to preserve this place for our future generations otherwise all the history is lost to the future generations and this would be so sad to see.

Lisa Stickley (Christchurch, 2022-12-06)

#154

It is Christchurch history

Peek Julie (Christchurch, 2022-12-09)

#157

I believe the CCC need to honour this magnificent benefaction from Robert McDougall. It is a very dangerous precedent to disrespect his gift . I also believe that there is room for more than one public art gallery space in Christchurch - especially when so much of our city’s fabulous art collection never gets shown . We need more of the public art gallery’s collection on permanent display. I really miss the McDougall gallery of my childhood directly accessible from the Christchurch botanic gardens .

Catherine McClean (Christchurch, 2022-12-09)

#158

I believe the Robert McDougall building should remain an art gallery.

Lars Cawley (Auckland, 2022-12-10)

#159

It's a beautiful building gifted to the city as a celebration to Art in the city.

Patrick Kerr (Christchurch, 2022-12-10)

#161

I love the McDougall Gallery, it is a great art space, designed well, a valuable asset to Chch residents and tourism.
We should be seeing old artworks permanently displayed, and the gifting of the gallery to to city should be honoured and so, it MUST be retained as it was designed to be used - as an art gallery displaying paintings and historic paintings held by chch art gallery.

Angela Doudney (Christchurch, 2022-12-11)

#165

It's a no brainer. Ridiculous situation. A beautiful gallery in a beautiful setting should have been re opened years ago

Hugh Campbell (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#166

Why wouldn't it be saved...

Marion Fernee (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#167

It's such a terrible waste having that grand old building just sitting there

Andrew Johnson (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#171

The Robert mcdougal is close to my heart since I first visited as a teenager. It wid fabulous to retain it fir the city’s historical art collections.

Catherine Garrett (Dunedin, 2022-12-18)

#174

I’m signing because I value this beautiful building as a perfect place to showcase our art - contemporary and old - and for its wonderful acoustics. What a waste it has been leaving it empty for all those years. It should be given new life

Maree Williamson (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#180

Having lived in Christchurch for more than 20 years I am familiar with this building, and its history and am disgusted that such a wonderful gift to the city of Christchurch should be treated in this way. Not only has the Christchurch Council over-ruled the specific reason for this gift, plus the numerous later gifts of historical artworks, showing huge disrespect to the donors and their descendents, but they have handed this building over to the museum for an unfunded project which will still not result in it being used for the purpose it was donated for.

Ngaire Sharples (Croydon, 2022-12-18)

#185

This wonderful building must be retained for its original purpose. An incomparable asset to the city, I have rejoiced in visiting it many, many times, and it is perfect for displaying the city's historic art collection. Plenty of other places to display contemporary works, and the museum is the proper place for museum collections

Felicity Stacey-Clark (Kapiti Coast, 2022-12-18)

#186

I feel that the mothballing of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, is not just a wasted opportunity, but also shows the city council to be negligent in the duty to the city. It is a lovely building that has just been left to deteriorate. The other major issue is that none of the art that I have loved over the years has been displayed since the McDougall was closed down. I wish that the council will look at this building as an opportunity, not a liability.

Louise McGrath (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#188

I'm signing because the building is NOT a part of the Museum, and should only be used for the purpose that it was intended. Visiting the Botanic Gardens and the Robert McDougall Art Gallery was always a highlight, especially with overseas visitors, but since 2002 the Christchurch City Council stopped that pleasure. Shame on them! It's a beautiful building that needs to be opened again and given back its place in this city's heritage! We lost so much of our heritage in those earthquakes, that we must preserve what's left for future generations to enjoy. I hope that I am still around to visit, when it reopens.

Dean Absalom (Christchurch, 2022-12-18)

#195

This is a historic, valuable and important building in Christchurch as well as being a much need additional art venue.

Fiona Temple (Christchurch, 2022-12-19)

#196

I want to see the Art Gallery returned to being used as it was intended .

Christopher Marett (Christchurch, 2022-12-19)

#200

The McDougall with it's neo-classical design was and is the ideal place to show the held historic artworks of Canterbury and afar. While the new public gallery has wonderful exhibitions, it does not inspire the quiet casual stroll around the different gallery spaces of the McDougall.

Ken Clark (Christchurch, 2022-12-19)



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