Central Otago Arts

02/06/2026

Have you entered yet? With just under two months remaining, now is the perfect time to submit your entry for the inaugural Checketts McKay Law Short Story Competition! The first prize is $2,500! This competition is open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and over who are currently living in New Zealand. Your story must have a connection to Central Otago or the Queenstown Lakes, but how you interpret that connection is entirely up to you. Whether you are an established writer or trying fiction for the first time, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your creativity. Please note that entries for the Open Category close on July 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in September. Click below for competition details and to access the entry form. https://cmlaw.co.nz/short-story-competition-2026/competition

27/05/2026

This Central Otago Art Society workshop is now fully booked. Please keep an eye on their social media, The Central Otago Art Society newsletter, and our Central Otago Arts website and socials for more exciting workshops coming very soon!

Gouache Painting Workshop with Marion Vialade-Worch.
Join award-winning Alexandra artist, Marion Vialade-Worch for a two-day intensive as she introduces you to painting with Gouache. 30th and 31st May, 10am-4pm daily at Alexandra Community House. On Saturday, you will complete small A5 gouache paint studies, understanding the use of limited colour palettes. On Sunday, you will complete a gouache painting of your own under the guidance of Marion's tuition with 1:1 support.
Prior knowledge of basic drawing skills would be helpful.
All materials for the workshop will be supplied.
To register, email [email protected]
COAS Members $175. Non-members $195.
Your place in the workshop is secured after making payment via internet banking to BNZ 02 0916 0124425 000.

20/05/2026

Our first very keen group of Top Art Exhibition viewers at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery.

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19/05/2026

We have just finished hanging the NZQA Top Art Exhibition at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery. Get along to see some super portfolios by students who achieved excellence in NCEA Level 3 in 2025. Open 10am - 4pm daily.

17/05/2026

So excited to have a wonderful group of art enthusiasts travel from Auckland to Central Otago last weekend for an art tour. Here are a few pictures of their first stop! Thank you, Nicola Bennett, for welcoming everyone to your studio, being such a wonderful host, and for the beautiful cake!

14/05/2026

Register now for these workshops! Email [email protected] for more information.

Gouache Painting Workshop with Marion Vialade-Worch.
Join award-winning Alexandra artist, Marion Vialade-Worch for a two-day intensive as she introduces you to painting with Gouache. 30th and 31st May, 10am-4pm daily at Alexandra Community House. On Saturday, you will complete small A5 gouache paint studies, understanding the use of limited colour palettes. On Sunday, you will complete a gouache painting of your own under the guidance of Marion's tuition with 1:1 support.
Prior knowledge of basic drawing skills would be helpful.
All materials for the workshop will be supplied.
To register, email [email protected]
COAS Members $175. Non-members $195.
Your place in the workshop is secured after making payment via internet banking to BNZ 02 0916 0124425 000.

06/05/2026

Join Arts Central NZ for a special fundraising concert by the ACE Aspiring Chamber Music Ensemble on May 30th, 7 PM, at the Bannockburn Hall. Tickets are $30, and all money raised will support The Cancer Society.
ACE is a group of enthusiastic musicians from Central Otago who share a love for chamber music and live performance.
The concert will showcase talented musicians playing the flute, cello, and piano, bringing a diverse range of musical experiences to the stage. You’ll enjoy a wonderful selection of beautiful pieces, including timeless classics from composers like Bach and Handel, as well as more modern works by Debussy and Maria Theresia Paradis. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/aspiring-chamber-ensemble-charity-concert

04/05/2026

Interested in learning some printmaking processes? Get along to Art Assembly, Country Lane, Frankton, on May 9th and 10th from 10am to 4pm. You will be guided by the very talented Dunedin-based Printmaker, Kyla Cresswell.
Day 1: Drypoint – introducing the beautiful burr.
Day 2: Intaglio with Tetra Pak.
No experience is needed, and all specialised materials will be provided.
For more details or to book, visit: artassembly.co.nz.