About Nelson City Centre ArtWalk
A project by Make/Shift Spaces and
The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū
Nelson City Centre ArtWalk is an outdoor art gallery in Nelson’s streets. With 26 sites, ArtWalk takes you on a journey past artworks by some of Nelson’s most celebrated artists, as well as artworks that have a particular poignancy to Whakatū.
The Suter has always prided itself on its commitment to collecting work by local artists. ArtWalk’s carefully curated selection of artworks is a strong representation of The Suter’s vast collection, spanning the life of the Gallery – from John Gully’s glorious painting intended to promote the region to the world, to the joie de vivre of Jane Evan’s distinctive light-filled colours, and Robin Slow’s tribute to kōkōwai (red ochre stone) found in Golden Bay.
The fact that all the works in ArtWalk have a direct connection and meaning to the Nelson/Tasman region is a key component of the project. ArtWalk gives The Suter an opportunity to show off part of its collection around the city, giving locals a sense of ownership, and giving visitors an insight into the art and artists of Whakatū.
Whether you commit to walking the route and delving into the stories about each work, or whether you’re a passer-by pausing for a brief moment to admire a painting on a wall, ArtWalk aims to have a tangible impact on how we engage with our city.
Enjoy our videos with Anne Rush talking about ArtWalk (top) and a look behind the scenes at Speedy Signs Nelson (bottom)
Project Partners
Nelson City Centre ArtWalk has been a close collaboration between the teams at Make/Shift Spaces and The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū. Special thanks to Anne Rush, Julie Warren, Amanda Raine, Sarah Wilson and Klaasz Breukel at one end, and Julie Catchpole and Sarah McClintock at the other. Thanks also to Avoca Web Design, and to Fermin Padilla at Speedy Signs for his added enthusiasm and attention to detail.
A sincere thanks to all the property owners and tenants for their collaboration and genuine enthusiasm for the project. We really couldn't have done it without them.