Acclaimed artist's old home to become museum

The former home of Christchurch artist Bill Sutton is being turned into a museum and community centre. Photo: LINZ
The former home of Christchurch artist Bill Sutton is being turned into a museum and community centre. Photo: LINZ
Work is under way to adapt the former home of acclaimed Christchurch artist Bill Sutton into a house museum and community centre.

The Templar St home, in the Richmond red zone, will be gifted to the Christchurch City Council by the Crown after the restoration project is complete to allow Sutton’s legacy to live on.

Land Information New Zealand, which manages the red zone on behalf of the Crown, has been working closely with the city council, as well as the Sutton Heritage House and Garden Charitable Trust, to convert the property into a community facility.

LINZ chief executive Gaye Searancke says the restoration of the significant site, protected by a covenant, marks the start of wider regeneration plans for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.

“It’s an honour for LINZ to be involved in this project which, once complete, will bring new life to this special home,” said Ms Searancke.

“As kaitiaki of this land, we are always looking for new ways to support the use of the residential red zone, and this is just another way we can help make that happen.

“We’ve been working behind the scenes to get multiple consents, as well as the tender process to get an experienced contractor for this unique project.”

Once the restoration is finished, the property will be managed and maintained by the Sutton Heritage House and Garden Charitable Trust.

Bill Sutton
Bill Sutton
The trust plans to use the facility to run tours about the life and work of Sutton and run a range of community programmes and public meetings.

Sutton Heritage House and Garden Charitable Trust co-chairwoman Dame Ann Hercus said it appreciates the support of LINZ, the city council and Regenerate Christchurch in getting to this point.

“It’s exciting to see the project becoming closer to being a reality," she said. 

"We believe Bill’s home will become an attraction, it really is a special place, culturally very significant to the city, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to help in securing its future.”

The restoration is expected to be completed and the facility opened to the public in March.