Arty will celebrate its 5th birthday in September!

Arty continues to promote the Friends and the Gallery. Arty brings a lot of fun and colour at public festivals, exhibition openings and outreach events. Arty the Art Car can be seen outside the Aigantighe Art Gallery every School Holidays. He is used regularly for outreach trips to South Canterbury schools and is loved by all the school children. Kids automatically relate Arty the Art Car back to the Art Gallery. He also features in the annual Santa Parade

The art car project In 2004 the Friends of Aigantighe committee decided to embark on an Art Car project. Around the world Art Cars are making a cultural and artistic splash within the communities that have them. An Art Car can be many different things. Usually starting out as an older and perhaps unloved car, the vehicle is transformed by artists and designers into a moveable visual feast. Art Cars take on many themes and delight viewers young and old.

Our Art Car soon became a community activity. For one month the second-hand Honda sat in a shopping mall while artists, designers, children, adults and other happy souls stopped by to add their small bit of creative energy to the outside (and inside!) of the car.

Toys, found objects, mementos, photos, illustrations, paintings, sculptures, motifs and decorations, jewellery, coins, personal effects and many other items were all added to the surfaces of the car. Finally the Aigantighe Art Car was fully emblazoned with hundreds of artistic designs.

Hire Arty to travel around town! Arty and a driver is available for hire for your school ball or as a special treat for kids, dignitaries or loved ones. Email the friends@aigantighe.org.nz to find out more!

Colour me arty! Design your own art car...
You can download the outline of our art car and create your own design by clicking on the icon below
We are making a special section on our gallery, send us your design by email friends@aigantighe.org.nz
Or by posting to: Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery , PO Box 780, Timaru, New Zealand

Arty Articles: Australian artist takes care of Aigantighe car After living rough on the streets for four months, Arty the Art Car has celebrated his fifth birthday in a nice new home. The car, which belongs to the Friends of the Aigantighe... Read article here Art Car Planned for Timaru A new "art car" is planned for Timaru as a mobile work of art for the promoting the Aigantighe Art Gallery. The concept sees a car's exterior 'redesigned' by artist, or artists. Friends fot eh agiantighe member Rick Lucus and Aoraki Polytechnic head of Art Mike Armstrong will drive the project... Read article here Timaru to Have Own Art Car what does Christchurch have two of that Timaru will soon have one of? Answer: an Art Car thanks to the generosity of The Courier. Last year, the Christchurch Art Car... Read article here The Art of Creating an Icon This Saturday local artists will begin creating Timaru's first Art Car, Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery committee member Rick Lucus described... Read article here Driving Art to the Edge - The Aucklanders Guide to the Nation's Art Treasures. Fancy a ride in an Art Car? Even know what one is? Well, talk to the vibrant folk at the Timaru's Aigantighe Art Museum and Artist Peta Jon Sisson may just chauffeur you from the airport in the museums's fabulous and wild... Read Article here

The evolution of Arty & where it all began in the Stafford Mall, Timaru, New Zealand...

The Public Lend a Hand The birth of Arty started in 2004 by buying a Honda from the Courier Newspaper for $1. A space was made available by the Stafford Mall to host the primed and ready car for the public to decorate.

The Evolution of Arty - Friends Arty Working Bee

An Arty weekend was set aside for the committee and friends to work together to complete the coat of paint and whimsical features.

Arty Parades Through Town

Finally Arty was ready to hit the streets of Timaru and was launched at the Timaru Christmas Parade in 2004.

Arty At the Timaru Rose Festival

Arty also became a highlight to Rose Festival Goers and drew attention to the Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery as a creative and innovative group.

Art & Ball Going Friends

It wasn't long until Arty found more friends and escorted a couple to their Mountainview School Ball in 2007.

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If you would like to know more about the art car please email: friends@aigantighe.org.nz