Aigantighe gets new gallery manager

ESTHER ASHBY-COVENTRY
Last updated 16:46, April 13 2015
- The Timaru Herald

After 14 months as acting manager, Cara Fitzgerald is "elated" to be appointed to the top job at the Aigantighe Art Gallery in Timaru.

"I am over the moon," she said. The curator studied the History of Fine Arts at Canterbury University and graduated in 2009. "I always wanted to be a curator. I've enjoyed art since high school." She was working at the CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art in Christchurch) until the Canterbury earthquakes struck and then moved to Timaru with her husband in 2012, taking up the position of collections curator at Aigantighe. "South Canterbury is beautiful, everything is here, the sea the mountains. I love it."

The local art community has been warm, welcoming and engaging, Fitzgerald said. "I like to give artists the opportunity to express themselves." Since former gallery manager Dr Fiona Ciaran left in February 2014, Fitzgerald has been acting manager and has had time to formulate an overall direction and vision of the gallery. "[That means] more local shows and longer nationals." She has ensured a policy surrounding hanging artworks at the Timaru District Council buildings remains in place.