about us

The primary objectives of the DPAGS are to:

  • Acquire painting, drawings, sculptures and other works of art

  • Support and promote the activities of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery

  • Foster an interest in visual arts in the community

The Society is a registered charity so donations are tax deductible (Charities registration number CC25636). The Society is governed by a Council made up of elected members and Dunedin City Council appointees. The DPAG Director is an ex-officio member.

message from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Director

Cam McCracken

The Dunedin Public Art Gallery was founded in 1884, making it Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest public art gallery. From the outset, its founders (who would become known as the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society) had lofty and ambitious goals –they effectively would build from nothing a collection of pictures representing significant moments in European art history as well as locally painted New Zealand contemporary ‘masterpieces’.

That dream was certainly realized and today, almost 140 years later, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery is located in the heart of Dunedin and boasts an exquisite collection of over 8,000 artworks including works by Monet, Claude Lorrain, Rembrandt, Turner, Constable and Burne-Jones to name a few.

While no longer running the Gallery on a day-to-day basis, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society is still very active in supporting the Gallery and the development of the Art Collection.  The Society works closely with the Gallery Director to identify and purchase significant works and has been able to add works by artists such as Gordon Walters, Colin McCahon, Michael Parekowhai, Shane Cotton, Ralph Hotere, Robin White and Fiona Pardington.

Elected Members

  • PRESIDENT

    Jonathan Cweorth

    I am a recovering Australian. My mother worked for a gallery in Sydney, and my parents were keen collectors, so my brother and I grew up going to galleries. There was always lots of art on the walls at home. Since coming to Dunedin in 2001 I have worked as a tutor, writer, director, and performer, especially focusing on early music with the Rare Byrds Consort. As part of that group, I have performed at the DPAG many times, and gained a warm appreciation of its significance not just as a gallery but also as performance space and a vital community arts hub. I’ve served on the boards of Literacy Aotearoa Dunedin and the Southern Heritage Trust, and I’m currently Chairperson of the Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust. I am delighted to be part of the DPAG Society Council, and looking forward to making a contribution. goes here

  • VICE PRESIDENT

    Linda Cook

  • TREASURER

    Kate Wynn-Williams

    Kate Wynn-Williams moved to Dunedin in the early 1970s, and gained a BA at the University of Otago in Philosophy. This was followed by nursing studies and work at Dunedin Hospital. After several happy years nursing, she left the hospital environment to take up further study. A BCom and postgraduate studies in Accounting provided the springboard for an academic career in the University’s Business School that lasted for nearly 30 years. As well as studying, working and bringing up a family, Kate has served on many Boards of Trustees for schools and activity groups.goes here

  • SECRETARY

    SABRINA RAGAN

    Sabrina moved to Dunedin with her husband and six children in 2019 to join the University of Otago’s Development and Alumni Relations Office. Having grown up in the States, she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology and afterwards pursued a fundraising career with institutions such as The Ohio State University and Cincinnati Museum Centre. She looks forward to being a part of preserving arts and culture through philanthropy as a member of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society

  • ELECTED MEMBER

    Hilary Burrall

  • ELECTED MEMBER

    HOLLY MACKINVEN

    Holly MacKinven is a Dunedin-based artist and arts educator. She graduated with an MFA (Hons) from the Elam School of Fine Arts in 2005, and also holds an undergraduate degree in Art History and Media Studies from the University of Auckland.

    She has exhibited in a number of galleries including Auckland dealer-gallery Sanderson Contemporary Art, where she showed until relocating to Dunedin with her young family in 2012.

    Over the years she has been a finalist in prestigious art awards such as the Wallace Art Award, the National Contemporary Art Award, and the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award. Her work is also held in the James Wallace permanent collection.

    Holly currently works as a children’s arts educator, and also teaches traditional painting methods as a night-class tutor at the Dunedin School of Art. goes here

  • ELECTED MEMBER

    Rosemary Crick

  • ELECTED MEMBER

    Dawn Williams

DCC Appointees

  • Brent Weatherall

    Brent Weatherall is a First term City Councillor, Self Employed Jewellery shop owner with his wife Jo and Dog “Teddy”.


    Brent’s entire working life of 42 years has been on George Street. Twenty-two years with his father’s business of Weatherall Jewellers before starting his own business Brent Weatherall Jeweller twenty years ago.

    Dunedin runs through his veins and he has always appreciated Dunedin’s rich history in the Arts, whether it’s from past or present Artists in Dunedin. He is proud to be involved in supporting the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

  • Andrew Whiley

    Bio coming soon

Sightlines host & hon. solicitor

  • Sally McMillan

    Bio coming soon