This street art piece is a tribute to the small companions who quietly form part of everyday life in Nelson, New Zealand. Cats are much more than pets. They are part of our homes, our neighbourhoods, and the community spaces we share. They walk through our streets, rest in our gardens, and, with their unique
Originally from Cali in Colombia, Maryori Barrera has been living in New Zealand for nearly three years. She and her husband came to Nelson from the USA for his work as a pastor. Through our leadership in our community we met Karolina Serrano, and she told me about the ArtBoxes. I would like to thank
This hand-painted mural investigates patterns as structural and conceptual frameworks. The artwork plays with the effect that repetition has on the viewer, and the way that abstract shapes generate meaning that is open to personal interpretations and context. It aims to prompt a critical awareness of the patterned structures that shape our urban environments and
A Royal Parade of all sorts (as a nod to the neighbouring Theatre Royal). The 12 grungy white-washed windows, each divided into four portrait panes, were a new linear mural opportunity. The windows allowed natural light into an adjacent mechanic’s workshop, so a simple black line design was chosen to reduce blocking out the sunlight.
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We were inundated with projects happening around the city – here’s the list: – Our Angel Gardeners have been going crazy all around town! They refreshed the giant planters at the Bridge St Bus Depot, as well as along upper Bridge St. They completely transformed the gardens outside Nelson Library along Halifax St by spreading
What happened in 2025 Read More »
Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson 2025 started off with a massive project involving about a dozen volunteers giving Bank Lane the best cleaning in who-knows-how-long?! There was vacuuming, scrubbing, spray-and-wiping, removing of sellotape and stickers, and general makeover brilliance! We even gave the public seat a sanding down and repaint, and painted over the graffiti behind
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We transformed a building! The Selwyn Place project came together with an incredible team of cleaners, planters, artist, plant-donators, business-owners, painters and, most importantly, a property owner who could see the value of a spruce-up! It all started in Spring Clean 2024, when we gathered some of the tenants along Selwyn Place joining in the gardening
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It’s not often we get to clean a painting with a mop! ArtWalk has been up for nearly five years, so the artworks needed a bit of a refresh. This was done across a week, first with staff and volunteers from the Suter Art Gallery cleaning all the ones at street level, and then, with
It was a wonderful occasion at the third Shared Communities Pop-Up Multicultural Market, on Saturday 18 October, from 3.30-8.00pm at the top of Trafalgar St. Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson threw its support behind the market because there’s no better way to celebrate a spring clean than for everyone to come together for great food, and
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Allison TuckwellCreation Story: Dog of Wonderacrylic, 2025 A dog looks on in wonder at the creation of a universe. You can see more of Allison’s work on instagram. I’ve been making art for most of my life. I’ve recently arrived in Nelson after living overseas for 20 years. I currently utilise the studio space at
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In the 2025 Spring Clean, we had a number of businesses and organisations step up and do great things! There’s some examples below of what’s already happening this year: And here’s a few things that happened in 2024 – just for inspiration:
What can we do as an innercity business? Read More »
It’s not rocket science – we all know that little actions can have a big impact. A clean, vibrant city starts with each of us noticing and caring for the spaces we share. Just by picking up rubbish and disposing of it responsibly, we help protect the beauty and integrity of our community. Small actions,
What can I do? Just me! Read More »
Consider making a donation. Think of the city as a an outdoor art gallery, with heaps of potential for artworks on every scale. Make/Shift Spaces is a non-for-profit organisation that has an ever-growing network of Nelson/Tasman artists. Your financial contribution will help make our city vibrate with original artworks and creativity. In 2024, NEL cleaned
Want to help but don’t have the time? Read More »
Hey – are you a property owner with graffiti giving you a headache? We can help! Russell at Make/Shift Spaces is an absolute whizz at matching colours to the exisiting surface. He can make that graffiti magically disappear in no time at all. Make/Shift Spaces will invoice you for our efforts at a reasonable rate.
Karolina SerranoNelsonRhythms of Barranquillamixed media on canvas, 2022 Blush Reverieacrylic on canvas, 2023 Butterflies in Bloommixed media on canvas, 2023 You can see more of Karolina’s art on facebook and instagram. This series celebrates inner strength, cultural identity, and the many forms of beauty around us. Each painting invites us to look beyond the surface, to feel
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Audrey AndersonNelsonHello Citygraffiti ink on canvas, 2023 You can see more of Audrey’s work on her website and on Instagram.You can also see Audrey’s work at Coolstore Gallery in Mapua. I find inspiration in the simplicity of everyday life. By being present in the world around me, stories naturally unfold, leading me to new ways
Emily NarbeyNgā Rau o Aotearoa (Leaves of Aotearoa)acrylic paint, 2025 Emily Narbey has given us a little patch of nature in the innercity. I’m not sure where the inspiration for this work came from… back in 2022 my dad’s cancer was diagnosed as terminal and I guess as a kind of parting gift he got
Ngā Rau o Aotearoa (Leaves of Aotearoa) Read More »
Rachel Promthat’s tasty creation has the perfect home in Nelson’s own ‘eat street’. Rachel has painted a delectable dish of Tom Yum noodle soup, as it is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes. The artwork is not just about Thailand’s signature dish, but it also reflects Thai identity. My inspiration for this artwork is that I
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Tim CuffNelsonKorowaiphotograph, 2008 You can see lots of Tim’s work at www.nelsoncreative.co.nz This was a picture shot a few years ago for a magazine piece about one of Ngāti Koata’s korowai. Although the cloak is beautiful in its entirety, I liked the drama of zooming in tightly on the richly-coloured feathers. Tim Cuff established himself
Being a part of this project was great. I had a lot of fun drawing and painting it. It was a bit challenging because of the bumps on the power box but I made it work. Patience is the key! Originally from Colombia, David George Garcia came to New Zealand about ten years ago for
Mark Fa’avaeNelsonVa’a-tele (the big canoe)acrylic paint, 2025 Mark Fa’avae is a Samoan-born Nelson artist who has exhibited locally and nationally. Va’a-tele are large, traditional Samoan seagoing vessels, made of two canoes lashed together. ArtBoxes is a joint project with Arts Council Nelson.Huge thanks to NEL (Nelson Electricity Limited) for supporting our artists to transform their boxes! And thanks too,
Samara Davis Ngati Koata, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Tama, Ngati Rarua, Te Atiawa Samara is a multi-media artist based in Whakatū who pushes the envelope of tradition in her work, exploring themes of identity, biculturalism, colonisation, connection and disconnection. Her intricately made objects present the marae and the whāriki (woven mat) as places for
Samara Davis Ngati Koata, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Tama, Ngati Rarua, Te AtiawaKoha nga Kupuacrylic paint on board, 2022 Kai I ngā Ora To feed life or feed from life A reciprocal relationship and slogan that came from a group exhibition at Refinery ArtSpace, Kai I ngā Ora, which was a response to the housing crisis.
Alicia RochaMi amigo Axolotlacrylic paint, 2025 You can see more of Alicia’s art on Instagram. I believe art can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others, makes us heal and subsequently the world we live in. My paintings are a reflection of my inner landscape where creatures go through a transmutation to become a friendly totem
Richard SellarsRollerdoor Muralacrylic paint, 2024 As part of Spring Clean Whakatū Nelson, ArtHouse Architects commissioned Richard Sellars to create a mural that would transform their laneway. The roller door was looking pretty manky before Richard took it from graffiti to oh-so-cool! It’s a stunner! Richard Sellars is a Nelson-based artist and architect. Read a great
Amy AdamsFlamboyant Flowersacrylic paint, 2025 “This floral design captures Nelson’s vibrant and artistic spirit, reflecting the joyful atmosphere of our community.” Amy Adams is an artist whose creative journey began in childhood, evolving from crafting miniature doll worlds to creating large-scale paintings and mixed media pieces. This lifelong passion has shaped her artistic vision and
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Shared CommunitiesArtWallacrylic on board, 2025 In early 2025 Shared Communities decorated a wall along Nile St. featuring the word “Thank You” in almost 50 languages. In early 2026, the project was moved to the wall that wraps around the Farmers’ Market at 23 Halifax St, near Nelson Library. Projects like this bring volunteers together, fostering
Karolina SerranoNelsonBehind the Red Curtainacrylic paint on metal, 2024 Follow Karolina on Facebook and Instagram. Inspired by the transformative power of the performing arts, this work celebrates the hidden worlds behind the red curtain. Through theatrical symbols—masks, sheet music, flowers—it pays tribute to the stories, emotions, and dreams that live within every character and every
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Barbara FrankletNelsonPecking Order2024, mixed media (door)The Sun King2024, mixed media (wall) Click here to see more of Barbara’s work, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit Barbara at her Mockingbird Studio at 6 Nile Street Nelson. Check her website to contact her beforehand. Mockingbird Studio in sunny Nelson is the home to artist Barbara Franklet. Working in a variety
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ArtWorks around Whakatū Nelson is a companion project to ArtWalk and ArtDoors. ArtWorks are original artworks around the city, on walls, electrical boxes, roller doors and other surfaces that might come available, using local artists.ArtWalk takes artworks from the Suter Art Gallery and reproduces them at a large-scale for walls around the city.ArtDoors is a series of reproduced contemporary artworks
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