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Manawatu Youth Art Exhibition

This November, the Manawatū Youth Art Exhibition will showcase an inspiring collection of artwork created by young artists aged 4 to 14 years. The exhibition features works submitted by parents, teachers, and the young artists themselves. Some pieces have been created within schools, others through after-school art programmes, and many have been produced independently in homes and studios across the region. What makes this year's exhibition especially unique is that the artworks are not prese...

Manawatu Art Awards 2026

Celebrating Creativity, Excellence and Artistic Courage The highly anticipated Manawatū Art Awards 2026 is set to open this October, offering visitors the opportunity to experience an inspiring collection of contemporary artworks from some of New Zealand's most talented artists. Each year, the Manawatū Art Awards brings together an exceptional range of creative voices, showcasing artists at their very best. From emerging practitioners taking bold new directions to established artists refining...

Photo Safari

Photo Safari brings together nine Manawatu-Whanganui photographers whose creative journey began in UCOL photography classes in 2024. What started as a shared learning experience has grown into a supportive creative community, with each photographer developing their own unique style and perspective.The exhibition features work by Adrian Kirk, Aroha Edmonds, Fiona Wood, Kerryn Whitehead, Micaela McIntosh, Naidene Schneider, Neil Shelley, Rhianne Tod, and Stephen Mackintosh.Thro...

Small Works Exhibition 2026

The Feilding Art Centre invites you to experience its annual Small Works Exhibition, a celebration of creativity on a miniature scale. Featuring artworks no larger than 15 centimetres on their longest side, this popular exhibition showcases an impressive variety of paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and mixed media works from talented local and regional artists. Don't be fooled by the size. These tiny treasures are packed with creativity, craftsmanship and imagination. Whether yo...

Our Matariki Tree

Matariki Herenga Waka – A Mooring Place for All CanoesThis term, our students embarked on a very special collaborative art project that brought together creativity, sustainability, remembrance, and community. Designed and led by our older students, and contributed to by students aged 5 to 13 years - as well as former students - our paper mâché tree became a true reflection of who we are as an art community.Created with guidance from Art Teacher Eris Newson and the support of volunteers Robyn...

Meet Vonnie: Celebrating 20 Years of Art, Community and Connection

Recently featured on the Palmy Venues & Events Facebook page in a profile written by Casey-Lee Persson.Meet Vonnie – one of the passionate volunteers helping bring the Manawatū Art Expo to life. For nearly two decades, Vonnie has been one of the dedicated volunteers behind the Manawatū Art Expo. A Life Member of the Feilding & District Art Society, she's been involved since the very first Expo and next year she'll celebrate her 20th year with the event, alongside the 20th anniversary...

Discover Watercolour with Jodi Calkin

Join local artist Jodi Calkin for a relaxed and supportive six-week introduction to watercolour painting. Perfect for complete beginners, this course will guide you through fundamental techniques and help you build confidence as you explore the unique beauty of watercolour.Over six weekly sessions, you'll learn about colour, brush control, washes, layering, and simple painting techniques while creating your own artworks in a friendly and encouraging environment.What to Bring:All materials will b...

Light in Bloom: Racheal Young

Zone 1 at the Feilding Art Center - July 2026Racheal Young – Light in BloomLight in Bloom invites viewers into a world where photography and painting seem to merge. Feilding‑based photographer Racheal Young uses light as her brush, transforming everyday flowers into artworks that appear delicately water‑painted. By photographing blooms from her own garden and those of friends, she creates images that encourage viewers to pause, look closer, and question what they’re seeing. The joy comes...

Feilding at the Heart of it All

Written for the Feilding First Newspaper by Eris NewsonDid you know……that our small rural town is home to the region’s longest-running art event - and one of New Zealand’s first regional art shows? Founded by the Feilding Art Centre and held each year at the Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre on the final weekend of the July school holidays -The Manawatū Art EXPO. Yes, it’s ours.Not run out of Auckland. Not an overseas organisation taking a cut. This is ours - built by ...

Affordable Art Classes

The Feilding and District Art Society run Affordable Art classes, after school, for 8 weeks of the term, catering to different age groups and abilities.These classes are funding by Trillian Trust (terms 1 and 3) and Creative Communities New Zealand (terms 2 and 4).Classes in Term 3 of 2026 will be run as follows:Tuesdays - Beginning 28th of July3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Ages 5–8 | Tutor: Eris Newson5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Ages 9–11 | Tutor: Eris NewsonWednesdays - Beginning 29th of ...

Life at Tangimoana: Linda Dickens

Presented by Linda DickensZone 2 at the Feilding Art Centre - June 2026Life at Tangimoana celebrates the rhythm, colour, and character of coastal living through a series of large and medium oil paintings by Manawatū artist Linda Dickens. Her works capture the essence of seaside life - families on the beach, fishing boats heading out at dawn, horses moving across open sand, and the glow of Manawatū’s unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Expansive rural landscapes sit alongside intimate lifesty...

Ramblings of a Busy Mind: Connor Sinclair

Zone 1 at the Feilding Art Centre - June 2026Ramblings of a Busy Mind offers an intimate look into the vivid, unpredictable, and wonderfully curious imagination of Manawatū artist Connor Sinclair. This exhibition brings together a dynamic collection of paintings and drawings that reflect the constant movement of his thoughts - sometimes playful, sometimes reflective, always distinctly his.Connor’s work spans an eclectic mix of subjects: quirky frogs, the quiet rhythms of nature, expressive po...

Members' Awards 2026

The Members Awards Exhibition 2026 is all about celebrating growth, creativity, and the artistic journey we’re all on together.This year, we’re expanding what “achievement” means. Yes, we’ll still be recognising outstanding work in each medium with our beautiful trophies — but we’re also shining a light on the things that matter just as much: participation, personal growth, and dedication.This exhibition isn’t just about polished masterpieces - it’s about our members showing up...

Landscape Enigma: John Christensen

Landscape Enigma presents a compelling body of work by award‑winning artist John Christensen, whose painting practice spans more than 45 years. Living in Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty, John’s work reflects a lifelong passion for - and deep connection to - the New Zealand landscape.Originally from this region, Christensen’s paintings explore the deliberate creation of enigma through landscape. Familiar forms are subtly altered, displaced, or reimagined within ambiguous settings. While ground...

Devotion to Melt: Serena Mercer

Serena Mercer explores the intimate dialogue between artist and material through the practice of fused glass. This process demands patience, focus, and trust - remaining with heat long enough to allow transformation to occur. In the melt, control softens and the glass begins to respond, creating a shared moment between maker and material.Each work is formed through repetition, careful observation, and commitment to process. Like passion shaped by time, glass reacts to heat slowly and unpred...

Have A Go!

Discover Our Have‑a‑Go Groups: Creativity for EveryoneIf you’ve been looking for a relaxed, friendly space to create, experiment, and connect with others, our Have‑a‑Go Groups are the perfect place to start. These sessions run throughout the week and are open to all skill levels - whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned maker wanting some company while you work.Each group has its own flavour, but they all share the same spirit: come along, have a go, and enjoy the creative proc...

Embracing the Tides: Protecting Moana

"Our land, our sea, our responsibility" is an educational marine environment art exhibition that aligns with concepts around sea week and what we can do to conserve and protect our marine environments. Alongside beautiful, realistic marine creatures painted in oils, there will be educational content, QR codes linking to videos on different sea creatures and a website set up with teaching resources to reach out to local communities and schools to increase engagement with the art and with sea week...

From Pencil to Paint - Pet Portraits

Mondays, 5 - 7 PM (fortnightly, beginning 27th April)These classes guide you step‑by‑step, from selecting the right reference image to creating a finished painting you’ll be proud to keep.Cost: $40 per person, per session ($30 for members), including all basic materials.The programme runs for four weeks. A total payment of $160 ($120 for members) is required to confirm your booking....

Beginner Oil Painting

Mondays, 5:00–7:00 PM (fortnightly)These Classes will likely run again in the term 4, October - November 2026In this series, you’ll learn about the materials we use, how to work safely (including understanding toxicity), basic colour theory, and how to set up and clean up your workspace. You’ll also create a small painting so you can put these skills into practice.Cost: $40 per person, per session ($30 for members), including all basic materials.The programme runs for four weeks. A total p...

The Saturday Studio

A New “Have‑a‑Go” Group for Busy CreativesSaturdays, 1:00–3:00 PMEvery second week, starting 21 FebruaryContribution: $3 per sessionNo booking needed — just bring your own gear and whatever project you’d love to work on.Come along, connect, create, and enjoy some relaxed weekend making time....

Footprints of Africa - Louise Billinghurst

A visual reflection of the deep impact African Nature and it’s people have on the human soul.No-one can visit Africa only once.Louise’s journey began on a South African dairy farm, where she developed a deep awareness of humanity’s dependence on nature. Her father, an amateur wildlife photographer, nurtured her love for wildlife during family holidays in the legendary Kruger National Park. Childhood days spent sketching treasures found on the farm laid the foundation for her artistic path....

Manawatū Art Awards 2025

Feilding Art Centre | 🗓 October 2025Presented by the Feilding and District Art SocietyThe spotlight is about to shine on Aotearoa’s finest creative talent! This October, the Feilding Art Centre will come alive with the Manawatū Art Awards Exhibition 2025 - a celebration of artistic excellence, bold expression, and regional pride.With $6,000 in cash prizes on offer, artists from across New Zealand are invited to submit their most compelling new works. Whether you're an emerging voice o...

Fabulous Fibre

Presented by Creative Fibre Manawatū AreaZone 1, FADAS | September–October 2025Step into a world of colour, texture, and creativity at the Fabulous Fibre Exhibition, where fibre takes centre stage in all its glorious forms! From the hands of talented makers across Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, Whanganui, Foxton, Palmerston North, and Feilding, this showcase celebrates the artistry of:🧶 Spinning 🧵 Weaving 🪡 Felting 🧤 Knitting & CrochetExpect a stunning array of handcra...

Small Works Exhibition 2025

This August, prepare to be enchanted by the Small Works Exhibition at the Feilding Art Centre - opening Friday the 1st at 5.30pm.Featuring over 100 miniature masterpieces from talented artists across our region, this show proves that powerful storytelling and bold creativity can thrive in the smallest of formats. From delicate glass and soft feathers to smooth stone and tiny painted canvases, the range of materials is as dazzling as the ideas they hold.These works invite close inspection and off...

Maureen Jensen

This July, the Feilding Art Centre is proud to present Garden World – Serenity & Harmony, a captivating exhibition that invites you into the intimate world of Maureen Jensen’s macro photography. With a remarkable eye for detail and a deep appreciation for nature’s quiet wonders, Maureen captures what most of us miss: the elegant stillness nestled in flower petals, droplets, textures, and light.Photographed from her unique vantage point as a wheelchair user, Maureen’s work offers more...