Past Installations
Rock! 35 Years of Rockquest
From: 04/04/2022 - 28/12/2022Every year, in town halls and theatres all over New Zealand, around 2700 teenagers perform their own original songs, live, to an audience of their peers. Smokefreerockquest is a national institution with its roots here in Nelson.
Age Concern
From: 15/12/2021 - 25/03/2022Age Concern trialled having a space in Nelson, which then became permanent.
We All Need More Music!
From: 20/10/2021 - 04/04/2022NCMA created the display to highlight their affordable music lesson.
Appo Hocton
From: 27/09/2021 - 19/11/2022Appo Hocton was the first person of Chinese descent to gain New Zealand citizenship. As carter, builder, roading contractor, then exporter, he was an industrious and respected resident of early Nelson.
Punk It Up
From: 03/09/2021 - 20/11/2021PUNK IT UP had a simple message – togetherness – to have fun in the CBD, to be active, bold, and happy.
Cultural Conversations
From: 05/09/2020 - 26/09/2022Cultural Conversations is a community arts hub focussed on building relationships and empowering former refugee and migrant communities.
The Bird Butcher Shop of Trafalgar Street
From: 26/09/2019 - 22/11/2021Ann Bird made a huge contribution to Nelson’s early European settlement, including her butchery on the highstreet.
Luminous Clouds
From: 09/07/2021 - 21/09/2021Anne Rush’s Luminous Clouds was first shown at the inaugural Light Nelson in 2013, suspended above the pond in Queen’s Gardens.
Pop-Up Little Japan Exhibition
From: 22/02/2021 - 05/03/2021To celebrate Japanese traditional girl’s day, Hina Matsuri, Pop-Up Little Japan showcased three sets of beautiful Hina Ningyo (Hina Dolls).
Pop-Up Little Japan Puppet Shows & Classes
From: 10/10/2020 - 27/03/2021Pop-Up Little Japan presented exhibitions, calligraphy classes and puppet shows in our little ShopFront Theatre.
Urban Ecologies by Kirsten Cooper
From: 18/12/2020 - 23/03/2021Make/Shift Spaces worked with Papercut to showcase work by NMIT Arts and Media students.
Pottery in Nelson – Steve Fullmer
From: 26/02/2021 - 02/03/2021Nelson has always been a magnet for those who dream of making their living through art and culture, including American-born Steve Fullmer.
CAN – What is a Home?
From: 30/06/2020 - 27/12/2020Community Action Group (CAN) organised information and discussions about affordable and diverse housing options in Nelson.
2020 Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)
From: 14/09/2020 - 30/11/2021Kia kaha te reo Māori! We hope you give te reo Māori a go!
Cultural Conversations – Sri Lankan Masks
From: 18/10/2020 - 31/10/2020Poorna Daundasekara is a Sri Lankan born artist who ran a mask-making workshop inspired by Sri Lankan designs but with a unique kiwi flavour.
Stitched Painting – Fleur Woods
From: 19/12/2019 - 31/10/2020A massive reproduction of one of Fleur Woods’ glorious ‘Stitched Paintings’.
Cultural Conversations – Santalma
From: 05/09/2020 - 10/10/2020Santalma uses her artwork to reflect the many aspects of her homeland of Colombia.
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – Dean Raybould
From: 03/02/2020 - 14/03/2021This artwork was created by Takaka-based artist Dean Raybould for the Brook Waimarama Sanctuarys.
The Bicycle & the Butcher’s Daughter
From: 22/06/2020 - 04/10/2020One of New Zealand’s most-loved actors, Helen Moulder, created her own space in which to rehearse and present her newest play.
F N Jones – inventor, photographer, showman and entrepreneur
From: 20/03/2020 - 22/09/2020F N Jones was a man of many talents – photographer and creator of Coney Park and Pixietowns.
White Gold – Sally Burton
From: 11/11/2019 - 12/07/2020Sally Burton’s ‘White Gold’ was presented in a shop window to stunning effect.
Viewfinder Window – Douglas Kelaher
From: 20/02/2020 - 23/03/2020Each log in this collection of firewood was selected for its resemblance to seminal works of art.
Viewfinder Window – Kim Ireland
From: 20/01/2020 - 20/02/2020Kim Ireland’s The Raft is part of her Threshold series, which reconstructs global climate events.
Viewfinder Window – Karolina Gorton
From: 20/12/2019 - 20/01/2019“Everyone’s a winner, bargains galore…”