The Forrester Art Gallery is housed in a spectacular neo-classical building originally constructed in 1884 for the Bank of New South Wales. The site was acquired by the former Oamaru Borough Council and opened as a gallery in 1983 with the help of a substantial legacy from John M. Forrester (1865 -1965).
The Forrester, which is funded and administered by the Waitaki District Council, offers the Waitaki and wider region a varied and exciting exhibition programme, houses a growing collection of artworks significant to the region, and stands as an icon of Oamaru's unique whitestone historic district.
The Forrester Gallery supports local and regional artists and offers national and international exhibitions in all media, which both reflect and challenge community interest.