Make It Nelson

Make It Nelson Make It Nelson is a curated programme of hands-on activities happening every weekend in June 2026. Pick one workshop or stack a few across a weekend.

Try different types of making, learn practical skills, and spend time creating with others.

We've got a really special two-day workshop at the internationally renowned Centre for Fine Woodworking, New Zealand, ri...
15/06/2026

We've got a really special two-day workshop at the internationally renowned Centre for Fine Woodworking, New Zealand, right here in Nelson!

That's right, people come from around the world for these classes, and you get to go along for a weekend. This course is perfect for beginners.

Karissa Walker Méndez will guide you through the process of making three boxes that nest inside each other, in the 'Shaker' style. There's nothing quite like being in a real woodworking workshop - the smell, the textures, and the potential for lots of lovely handmade things. We promise that at the end of the two-days your heart will be bursting with woody pride.

- Make a Shaker Box (2-day workshop)
Sat 27-Sun 28 June, 9am-5pm
Centre for Fine Woodworking, New Zealand
465 Wakapuaka Rd�, Wakapuaka

Book now at https://makeitnelson.co.nz/events/make-a-shaker-box/

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman

It's getting chilly - time to get woolly!On Sunday 21 June, there are two workshops where you can get hands-on with wool...
15/06/2026

It's getting chilly - time to get woolly!

On Sunday 21 June, there are two workshops where you can get hands-on with wool - there's good ol' fashioned knitting; and then there's warm and wonderful jewellery!

All the workshops provide all the materials - all you need is your sense of adventure.

- Chuffed to Knits with Bettina Bley - learn to knit from a ball of wool to a finished piece and everything in-between.
- Brooches, Beads & Body Adornment from NZ Fibre with Colleen Plank - get felting with wool to make brooches, beads and very cool necklaces!

Chuffed to Knits
Sun 21 June, 2-5pm
The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū
$155+bf - all materials supplied including a Wool Kit-Set with circular needles.

Brooches, Beads & Body Adornment from NZ Fibre
Sun 21 June, 9am-5pm
$110+bf - all materials supplied including wool, other fibres and brooch-backs.

More info and bookings at www.makeitnelson.co.nz

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman

If you like the idea of sketching what you see, then Walk Talk Draw is the workshop for you.Led by local artist Claire C...
11/06/2026

If you like the idea of sketching what you see, then Walk Talk Draw is the workshop for you.

Led by local artist Claire Colvin, you'll begin inside, in the Suter classroom (because it is still a bit chilly outside at 9am). And then, you'll venture out into the Queens Gardens where Claire will be giving you some tips and encouragements to be an artist-in-the-open-air.

The class finishes back inside, where you'll come together to create a collaborative drawing.

Walk Talk Draw
Sun 14 & Sun 21 June at 9am-12noon
The Suter Art Gallery & Queens Gardens
$70/$50+bf
Info & bookings: https://makeitnelson.co.nz/events/walk-and-draw/

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman

It was a truly special night at the Cathedral on Saturday, with over 200 people coming along for a communal drawing clas...
11/06/2026

It was a truly special night at the Cathedral on Saturday, with over 200 people coming along for a communal drawing class.

The sublime music from The Nile Street Project , the super-cool lighting from JR at VenueTech and the gentle guidance from the art therapist Lynda Jessen-Tye - it all came together like a dream.

A big heartfelt thanks to Christ Church Anglican Cathedral Nelson for their welcoming generosity, and to our volunteers for their cheery assistance.

We are holding the event again on Saturday 20 June, but please note that it is now full. We're sorry for those of you who have missed out, but be assured that we'll be back in 2027 with more awesome epic free events!

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman

Saturday is zine-day!If you've ever wanted to make your own magazine, here's your chance. Tutor Rowan Taigel will guide ...
10/06/2026

Saturday is zine-day!

If you've ever wanted to make your own magazine, here's your chance. Tutor Rowan Taigel will guide you through this hands-on guerrilla-style workshop, where you’ll learn how to transform a single sheet of A3 paper into your own DIY zine - no staplers, no fancy equipment, no gatekeepers.

Making zines is about ideas over perfection and voice over polish. A zine is a self-made mini-publication - a tiny magazine you can create about anything: poems, lists, rants, drawings, observations, inside jokes, secret thoughts, or a one-page manifesto.

You’ll learn a simple step-by-step folding technique that turns one sheet into an eight-page booklet. From there, it’s yours. Write it. Collage it. Type it. Keep it minimal. Make it loud.

All materials are provided. You just bring curiosity.

Cut, Fold, Make: A Beginner’s Zine-Making Workshop
Sat 13 June 9am-12noon
NMIT G-Block
$50+bf
Info & bookings https://makeitnelson.co.nz/events/cut-fold-make-a-beginners-zine-making-workshop/

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Nelson Tasman Uniquely Nelson

A great day Foraging, sharing and community. Thank you Make it Nelson for bringing us all together and offering this op...
09/06/2026

A great day Foraging, sharing and community. Thank you Make it Nelson for bringing us all together and offering this opportunity for us all. Blessed by the weather and set in the beautiful Waimarama Community Gardens

Always wanted to try a drawing class? Inside or outside? We have both options covered!- Walk Talk DrawSun 14 & Sun 21 Ju...
09/06/2026

Always wanted to try a drawing class? Inside or outside? We have both options covered!

- Walk Talk Draw
Sun 14 & Sun 21 June, 9am-12noon
Suter Art Gallery & Queens Gardens
$70/$50+bf - all drawing materials included
Led by local artist Claire Colvin these classes are always popular. You'll start in the classroom inside the Suter, and then venture outside into Queens Garden, before returning inside to make a collaborative drawing. All levels of abilities welcome.

- Life Drawing
Sun 21 June, 2pm-5pm
NMIT classroom in G Block
$75+bf - all drawing materials included
Led by experienced tutor Jeanie Robertson (Life Drawing Nelson) with a live model.
Jeanie will show you how to tap into your own creativity through drawing the human figure. The studio space is quiet and calm. All levels of abilities welcome.

No need to bring anything - we'll supply all the drawing materials for both classes.
Info & bookings at www.makeitnelson.co.nz

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Nelson Tasman Uniquely Nelson The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū

Such a great vibe at the workshop. Note too, that if you're a couple looking for a special set of weeding rings - why no...
08/06/2026

Such a great vibe at the workshop. Note too, that if you're a couple looking for a special set of weeding rings - why not make 'em yourself at Couples Create - Make your own Wedding Rings.

It was an absolute magic weekend of weaving, drawing, pinch-potting, foraging, soap-making, stitching, stamping, gluing,...
08/06/2026

It was an absolute magic weekend of weaving, drawing, pinch-potting, foraging, soap-making, stitching, stamping, gluing, calligraphy-ing, sculpting, crocheting, felting, painting and glass-bead-making. What a blast!

And the best thing is, next weekend we get to do it all again!

Right now, this is what's available over the next three weekends:
- Eco-Designer, One-Day Fashion Lab - Sat 13 June
- Cut, Fold, Make: A Beginner’s Zine-Making Workshop - Sat 13 June
- Walk Talk Draw - Sun 14 & 21 June
- Couples Create - Make your own Wedding Rings - Sat 20 June
- The Mindful Mark - Sat 20 June
- Make a Puppet and Bring It to Life! - Sat 20 June
- Life drawing Nelson - Sun 21 June
- Brooches, Beads & Body Adornment from NZ Fibre - Sun 21 June
- Chuffed to Knits - Sun 21 June
- Make a Shaker Box (2-day workshop) - Sat 27-Sun 28 June
- Painting with Colour Simplified - Sat 27 June
- Drawing with Line & Colour - Sun 28 June
- Form with Line, Colour & Space - Sun 28 June

PLUS, there are still spaces available for It at the Cathedral - FREE EVENT, but you MUST register to avoid missing out.

Info & bookings at www.makeitnelson.co.nz

Huge thanks to Tim Cuff at www.NelsonCreative.co.nz for the photos.

Arts Council Nelson Nelson City Council Nelson Tasman Uniquely Nelson

Such great vibes at all today’s workshops.
06/06/2026

Such great vibes at all today’s workshops.

Address

Refinery ArtSpace, 114 Hardy Street
Nelson
7010

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