This July, art lovers have a unique opportunity to take home “a piece of local history,” says Bronwyn Zimmerman, Director of the Zimmerman Art Gallery.
More than 40 artworks have been generously donated to support Arohanui Hospice, showcasing the work of four well-known local artists: Dr Brian Booth, Basil Register, Jack Register, and Frank Davis. The pieces will be available for purchase at the Zimmerman Art Gallery from 1 to 31 July, with 100% of proceeds going directly to Arohanui Hospice.
This marks the second exhibition Zimmerman has hosted in support of the Hospice, following a previous display of the art collection of Hendrika Hoogendyk.
For Bronwyn, the exhibition is “more than just an art exhibition, it’s a dip back into history.” Many of the works capture familiar local landscapes, including the Pohangina Valley, the bush of the Tararua Ranges, the Kahuterawa Valley, and even the historic Fitzherbert Bridge in Palmerston North.
As many of these pieces have been donated through Arohanui Hospice Shops, they have often been kept in private homes for decades. As a result, few people will have seen them in recent years. The gallery is thrilled to offer the collected works “a second public outing” before the pieces find new homes with their buyers.
Bronwyn is proud to support Arohanui Hospice while giving renewed life to these special works. She believes visitors may be pleasantly surprised by highlights such as a pristine print of Basil Register’s painting of the old Fitzherbert Bridge, as well as an impressive local bush oil painting by Frank Davis (former Head of the art department of Palmerston North Teachers’ College).
Arohanui Hospice extends its gratitude to everyone who has contributed artwork to the exhibition, as well as to the Zimmerman Art Gallery for thoughtfully curating and presenting the collection. Zimmerman would also like to acknowledge the generous support of Dianne Stout, Tania Davis and Moya Booth for their contributions to the exhibition.
To view and purchase works from this remarkable local collection, visit the Zimmerman Art Gallery at 329 Main Street, Palmerston North, between 1 and 31 July 2026.
