The Great Santa Hunt 2025
Where oh where can they be? The Santa Hunt is back, with a twist! Starting at Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on December 17, join us for our special late-night Santa Hunt. Bring your torches to search high and low in the Museum after dark – we’ll be giving spot prizes for our best-dressed…
Artist Talk | Kathy Reilly
Join us for an artist talk with printmaker Kathy Reilly. In the summer of 2021, Kathy travelled to the Subantarctic Islands on a research expedition. For thirteen days, she trained her artist’s eye on these dramatic, isolated environs. The outcome of this voyage can be seen in her solo exhibition Peregrination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey….
Summer Holiday Activities 2025/26
This summer, we have free activities running every day! Drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm to get involved. Check out our list of activities below, or see our What’s On Guide Holiday Decorations 17 December – 24 December Get creative at our holiday craft station! Use a variety of fun tools and techniques…
Heritage Talk | Dr. Jane Malthus
In western fashion, the white wedding dress came into vogue with Queen Victoria. For various reasons, though, brides have chosen to wear other colours. At this special talk with Dr. Jane Malthus titled Not always white: coloured wedding dresses as fashion and anti fashion, we will explore the history and themes of alternatives to the…
Workshop | Treasured Threads
At this practical workshop, learn how to protect and preserve your special garments for future generations. Bring along a special garment such as a wedding dress, Christening gown or treasured textile. Share its story and learn techniques developed by museums for safe storage, gentle handling and long-term care. You will take home your own museum-grade…
Dearly Beloved | 100 Years of the Wedding Dress
Weddings are a traditional rite of passage; ceremony overlaid with religious significance and cultural expectations. Befitting the occasion, bridal clothing may be ceremonially symbolic in colour, textile, or style, but also follows the fashion of the day and evolves, as traditions do, over time. This exhibition features a selection of bridal wear from our collection,…
Island Breeze
Join us for our monthly Pasifika wāhine art and craft session in Ashburton! If singing, chatting, and art sounds like your cup of tea, come along on the third Thursday of every month from 1pm – 3.00pm. Island Breeze welcomes Māori and Pasifika. Kai is provided. Contact Fifita on 027 529 0022 for more details….
Art Addicts
Art Addicts (AA) is Rokowhiria’s weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the Gallery and Museum to get creative and explore different materials and themes in art. AA is all about a fun, shared learning experience for all who attend. There is no need…
Able Art Collective
Able Art Collective is a supportive space for individuals with disabilities to explore, learn, create, connect and express themselves through art. Sessions are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 9.30 am – 11.30 am. Bookings are required – please register by emailing aagm@adc.govt.nz Run in partnership by the Ashburton Art Gallery &…
Kōwhai Kids
Kōwhai Kids is our monthly art group for children aged 0-5 years. Join us once a month for a relaxed session where kids can engage with fun sensory art activities, while parents chat over tea or coffee. These sessions are a great opportunity for parents and guardians to meet others from Whakatere Ashburton, and for…
Sunday Studio
Sunday Studio is our weekend art group for adults! Join us once a month to explore a new art technique and socialise on a Sunday afternoon. Each month will have a different focus, and whether it’s printmaking, ceramics, or something in between, our Learning and Experience Lead, Katie, will be there to help you master…
Two O’Clock Tours
Every Sunday, our wonderful Front of House assistant Jacqui will be running tours of Rokowhiria. Whether it’s showing you around the building, or providing insight into a specific item from our collection, these tours are a great opportunity to ask questions and learn something new about our facility and current exhibitions. Every Sunday | 2pm
In Colour
In Colour is a great way to unwind and relax with like-minded people. Bring along your art and craft projects to share with others over morning tea once a month. New members are always welcome. We will supply basic colouring-in sheets and materials, along with tea, coffee and a biscuit or two. We encourage those…