Past Installations

Rock! 35 Years of Rockquest

From: 04/04/2022 - 28/12/2022

Every 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.

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Age Concern

From: 15/12/2021 - 25/03/2022

Age Concern trialled having a space in Nelson, which then became permanent.

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We All Need More Music!

From: 20/10/2021 - 04/04/2022

NCMA created the display to highlight their affordable music lesson.

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Appo Hocton

From: 27/09/2021 - 19/11/2022

Appo 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.

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Punk It Up

From: 03/09/2021 - 20/11/2021

PUNK IT UP had a simple message – togetherness – to have fun in the CBD, to be active, bold, and happy.

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Cultural Conversations

From: 05/09/2020 - 26/09/2022

Cultural Conversations is a community arts hub focussed on building relationships and empowering former refugee and migrant communities.

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The Bird Butcher Shop of Trafalgar Street

From: 26/09/2019 - 22/11/2021

Ann Bird made a huge contribution to Nelson’s early European settlement, including her butchery on the highstreet.

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Luminous Clouds

From: 09/07/2021 - 21/09/2021

Anne Rush’s Luminous Clouds was first shown at the inaugural Light Nelson in 2013, suspended above the pond in Queen’s Gardens.

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Pop-Up Little Japan Exhibition

From: 22/02/2021 - 05/03/2021

To celebrate Japanese traditional girl’s day, Hina Matsuri, Pop-Up Little Japan showcased three sets of beautiful Hina Ningyo (Hina Dolls).

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Pop-Up Little Japan Puppet Shows & Classes

From: 10/10/2020 - 27/03/2021

Pop-Up Little Japan presented exhibitions, calligraphy classes and puppet shows in our little ShopFront Theatre.

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Urban Ecologies by Kirsten Cooper

From: 18/12/2020 - 23/03/2021

Make/Shift Spaces worked with Papercut to showcase work by NMIT Arts and Media students.

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Pottery in Nelson – Steve Fullmer

From: 26/02/2021 - 02/03/2021

Nelson has always been a magnet for those who dream of making their living through art and culture, including American-born Steve Fullmer.

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CAN – What is a Home?

From: 30/06/2020 - 27/12/2020

Community Action Group (CAN) organised information and discussions about affordable and diverse housing options in Nelson.

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2020 Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)

From: 14/09/2020 - 30/11/2021

Kia kaha te reo Māori! We hope you give te reo Māori a go!

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Cultural Conversations – Sri Lankan Masks

From: 18/10/2020 - 31/10/2020

Poorna Daundasekara is a Sri Lankan born artist who ran a mask-making workshop inspired by Sri Lankan designs but with a unique kiwi flavour.

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Stitched Painting – Fleur Woods

From: 19/12/2019 - 31/10/2020

A massive reproduction of one of Fleur Woods’ glorious ‘Stitched Paintings’.

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Cultural Conversations – Santalma

From: 05/09/2020 - 10/10/2020

Santalma uses her artwork to reflect the many aspects of her homeland of Colombia.

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Brook Waimārama Sanctuary – Dean Raybould

From: 03/02/2020 - 14/03/2021

This artwork was created by Takaka-based artist Dean Raybould for the Brook Waimarama Sanctuarys.

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The Bicycle & the Butcher’s Daughter

From: 22/06/2020 - 04/10/2020

One of New Zealand’s most-loved actors, Helen Moulder, created her own space in which to rehearse and present her newest play.

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F N Jones – inventor, photographer, showman and entrepreneur

From: 20/03/2020 - 22/09/2020

F N Jones was a man of many talents – photographer and creator of  Coney Park and Pixietowns.

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White Gold – Sally Burton

From: 11/11/2019 - 12/07/2020

Sally Burton’s ‘White Gold’ was presented in a shop window to stunning effect.

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Viewfinder Window – Douglas Kelaher

From: 20/02/2020 - 23/03/2020

Each log in this collection of firewood was selected for its resemblance to seminal works of art.

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Viewfinder Window – Kim Ireland

From: 20/01/2020 - 20/02/2020

Kim Ireland’s The Raft is part of her Threshold series, which reconstructs global climate events.

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Viewfinder Window – Karolina Gorton

From: 20/12/2019 - 20/01/2019

“Everyone’s a winner, bargains galore…”

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