Building crews are stripping floorboards and wall linings in the flood-affected ground floor of the Sarjeant On The Quay gallery, as staff continue work in the upstairs offices and art storage area.
The Sarjeant team enacted its emergency procedures, moving exhibited artworks and shop stock to safety on June 20, before mud-laden floodwaters from the nearby Whanganui River swamped Taupo Quay overnight, and left the district council and business owners facing a huge clean-up.
Senior curator Greg Anderson said that he and council managers were working closely with the owner to confirm the date restoration work would be completed.
"It's reassuring to see good progress being made and we're determined to resume our programme of exhibitions and functions as soon as possible," Mr Anderson said.
"It's disappointing to be closing the doors, albeit temporarily, so soon after we've celebrated our successful first year in Sarjeant On The Quay. We've had many thousands of visitors and a very full programme of exhibitions and events."
Mr Anderson said the gallery's education programme is still underway, although the purpose-built classroom space on the ground floor has been off limits since the flood. The education team is working with schools to ensure that the full teaching programme can continue and is firming up alternative teaching venues.