The Gallery
Located on the left bank of the Grey River / Māwheranui in the heart of Greymouth, the Left Bank Art Gallery is housed in the former Bank of New Zealand, a historic building constructed in 1924.
The main gallery displays regular exhibits of contemporary New Zealand paintings, prints, photography, sculpture and crafts, with an emphasis on local content.
Our Box Gallery allows for new, emerging artists to have a comfy space to exhibit.
The Gallery Shop offers hand crafted work including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, jade, and carvings, along with a fine selection of paintings and prints by local artists and craftspeople. There is also a selection of books by local authors.
An expanding national collection of contemporary Greenstone/Pounamu is a major feature of this gallery, with works from throughout New Zealand. The Pounamu Collection showcases some of the country’s finest jade works, some selected from the New Zealand Contemporary Stone Awards.
The West Coast Society of Arts
The West Coast Society of Arts is a regional arts society based in Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. We are a non profit organisation. There has been an Arts Society in Greymouth since the 1940s; its early members included George Chippendale, Arthur Foster, David Graham, Allan Holcroft, and St Clair Sofield; they were joined by Toss Wollaston in 1949. The West Coast Society of Arts Inc. (WCSA) was formed to run the first public art gallery for Greymouth, that was opened by Toss Wollaston in February 1982.
The society’s current 300+ members are spread the length of the West Coast. Many are active practicing artists with painters, potters, sculptors, photographers, weavers, mixed media, carvers and many more among its membership.
The Society is dedicated to the overall development of the arts on the West Coast by supporting artists in providing a venue to display or perform their art, by providing a means to connect artists with customers and by providing opportunities for artists to improve their skills.
Our Purpose
It is the purpose of the West Coast Society of Arts (WCSA) to foster, encourage and strengthen the artistic and creative lives of our communities.
We have a commitment to promoting and celebrating the historical and evolving story of arts on Te Tai o Poutini.
It is the purpose of the Left Bank Art Gallery - the Regional Gallery for Te Tai o Poutini - to act as a focal point for our creative communities, connecting audiences to artists, facilitating and deepening people’s relationship with art.
Our Values
Matauranga / Knowledge and Learning
Whanaungatanga / relationships
Kaitiakitanga / guardianship
Manaakitanga / community responsibility
Kotahitanga / Togetherness, Collective Action, Unity
Our Vision
Te Tai o Poutini is known for its authentic and accessible artists and art experiences. Creativity and artists are valued and respected as a life giving force and a contributing factor in our success as a region. Our towns are rich with art that tells our stories and reflects our unique and varied perspectives.