Artist Talk | Julia Holderness
At this artist talk, Julia will discuss her new show Botanical Correspondents: Crossing Time with Emily Harris and Julia Holderness. Emily Harris (1837-1925) is best-known for painting the indigenous flora of Aotearoa and produced hundreds of exquisite artworks in her studio in Whakatū Nelson. Julia will discuss her research into Emily and how she has responded creatively to her…
Artist Workshop | Botanical Watercolour with Julia Holderness
Join us for a special workshop with artist Julia Holderness! Learn some watercolour painting techniques, and then have the chance to paint a botanical study or image. Julia will guide you through a one-hour workshop aimed at beginners – all materials are provided. Tickets are $10 per person – Book here! Come along to Julia’s…
Memorials Walking Tour | Lunchtime Special
To celebrate our exhibition In Plain Site: Memorials and their stories, join us for a special lunchtime walking tour exploring some of the historic memorial sites featured in the display. Stroll through central Whakatere Ashburton and uncover the stories behind the people and events commemorated in our town’s landscape. At each stop, our team will…
Cultural Awareness Talk | Fiji
In this Cultural Awareness session, you will learn about Fijian culture and discuss basic social protocols to help you interact with clients, whānau, and friends. The session will be led by Whakatere Ashburton local Philo Kumkee. All are welcome – nau mai koutou katoa! Organised with Welcoming Communities and Hakatere Multicultural Council
Heritage Talk | Brothers in Arms
Join us for an interesting ANZAC Day talk by Social History Curator Louisa Hormann and Archivist Connor Lysaght, who will delve into a collection of letters written by two local First World War servicemen, who were also brothers. The talk focuses on two farmers’ sons from the district, George and Frederick Blee. Fred fought overseas…
Artist Talk | Q&A with Noel Meek
Join our Art Curator James Hope and artist Noel Meek in a Q&A session about his new exhibition. the cuckoo sings for me, for the mountain, a speculative story about entangled histories of coal, extractivism, and family is presented through video, sound, and text. This talk will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to ask…
Heritage Talk | Robyn Burgess
To celebrate our new exhibition Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury, Heritage New Zealand’s Senior Heritage Advisor for Canterbury/West Coast, Robyn Burgess, will give an illustrated talk about the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero, its background and purpose, and look at what makes Mid and South Canterbury listings so special.
Workshop | Treasured Photos
Join us for a practical workshop led by archivist Connor Lysaght, where you will be introduced to methods for identifying various types of historic photographs, best‑practice approaches for their storage, and techniques for producing high‑quality digital reproductions. Attendees are encouraged to bring a treasured photograph or negative to work with. While items of any size…
Heritage Talk | Mid Canterbury Suffragettes
The Ashburton Family History Group have spent many years researching the Mid Canterbury women who signed the suffrage petition. At this special talk, we will hear about their findings and add local context to this pivotal moment in time. Image: Detail from Suffrage in Stitches exhibition, hosted at Rokowhiria in 2023
Community Event | Stitching the Suffrage Panel
After stitching a textile panel representing Whakatere Ashburton for a project lead by the Tapestry Trust NZ in 2019, the Ashburton Embroiderers’ Guild now have the opportunity to support the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’ Guilds Inc and Canterbury Suffrage Stitchers to add stitches to a new panel honouring the suffrage movement. Come along and…
Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury
The diverse and beautiful Mid & South Canterbury regions are home to 223 entries on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Over the summer, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s photo competition encouraged photographers to capture these amazing listed locations across Waitaha Canterbury. The resulting exhibition showcases an impressive selection of images submitted by photographers ranging…
In Plain Site: Memorials and their Stories
From traditional monuments to functional buildings, and even living trees, public memorials take many shapes and forms. In Whakatere Ashburton many commemorate wartime sacrifice, while others acknowledge colonial settlement and industry, or the original site of the famed mātai tree, Hinepaaka. This exhibition tells the stories behind local memorials, who created them and why, using…
Witching Words: A Poetry Competition
Witching Words: A Poetry Competition invites visitors of all ages to step into a world where language shimmers and imagination leads the way. Inspired by the playful poetry of Margaret Mahy and the evocative illustrations of David Elliot, this competition encourages you to create your own poem using words, rhymes, and ideas drawn from the…
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…
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…