Percy Thomson Gallery

21/10/2026

In ‘Liminal Spaces’, Mikaela Nyman and Ellie Field use a variety of media, disciplines and techniques to convey concepts of place, home, history and grief.

War, geo-political tension, myth, legend and creation as told via the Kalevala, and displacement are quietly laid down for consideration and contemplation, but what rises from them are hope, care, love and humanity.

This beautiful show is on now until Sunday 15 November

Images:
- Ellie Field ‘Ode to you’
- Mikaela Nyman ‘Spring thaw’
- Ellie Field ‘Del’ - the future generation is in our hands
- Mikaela Nyman ‘Alternative Worlds II/III’
- Ellie Field ‘Emergence - Red Synaptic Forms’
- Mikaela Nyman ‘The loss of Sampo’
- Ellie Field ‘Fragility’
- Mikaela Nyman ‘Marjatta’s rescue’ & ‘A sonnet for lovers’

19/10/2026

It was all go on Saturday!

As part of ‘Fibreworks 2026’ we had spinners sharing and demonstrating their craft.

Mikaela Nyman then hosted an ekphrastic poetry workshop where attendees were encouraged to respond to an artwork of their choosing through verse. The results were amazing and we hope to have the poems hanging in the space very soon.

For more information on upcoming events see our website and social media channels.

Images:
1 - 2: Spinning demonstration with Maureen Rice and Debbie Dawson.
3 - 5: Ekphrastic poetry workshop hosted by Mikaela Nyman, with Ellie Field, in association with their exhibition ‘Liminal Spaces’.

16/10/2026

TOMORROW! (Saturday 17 October) -
Two free, fun and fantastic activities:

🌟 Demonstration & ‘have-a-go’ at spinning with members of Taranaki Creative Fibre.
🌟 Join artist and poet extraordinaire Mikaela Nyman for a poetry workshop from 2pm - 3pm (for adults and youth 16+).

Peruse the exhibitions, browse in Percy’s Place and enjoy a coffee and snack at Sgt Pepper’s - there’s something for everyone!

Images:
- ‘Fibreworks 2026’, installation view
- ‘Liminal Spaces: Mikaela Nyman & Ellie Field’, installation view

14/10/2026

Have you seen the lovely article in today’s paper promoting ‘Liminal Spaces’ and the upcoming workshops?

The first is this Saturday (17 October):
Art + Poetry = Fantastic ekphrastic
2pm - 3pm
For adults and youth over 16

This is a no stress, good vibes opportunity to have some fun with words with art as the catalyst - and it’s free! Just make a booking by calling the Gallery on 06 765 0917.

Ngā mihi nui to Creative Communities Scheme and New Zealand Society of Authors for their support.

Two Taranaki artists sharing a joint exhibition are also leading workshops for people to find their own creative flair.

13/10/2026

Is there anything more fabulous than an exhibition opening?! We love them and the palpable excitement in the air.

The celebration on Saturday was no exception. Huge thanks to those who joined us to welcome ‘Fibreworks 2026’ and ‘Liminal Spaces’ and for the support of these glorious shows.

Open seven days until Sunday 15 November (excluding Labour Day, Monday 26 October).

10/10/2026

Yesterday was a big, busy and beautiful day at the Gallery as we welcomed two new exhibitions to our whare.

We took lots of photos which we’ll share soon but in the meantime here are a few installation views once the crowds had dispersed.

‘Fibreworks 2026’
and
‘Liminal Spaces: Mikaela Nyman and Ellie Field’

are open now and right through ‘festival season’ in Taranaki (closing 15 November).

Warmest thanks and congratulations to Taranaki Creative Fibre and all the amazing artists involved in these shows.

07/10/2026

There’s lots to get involved with during the upcoming exhibitions!

On Saturday 17 October from 2pm - 3pm artist and award-winning poet Mikaela Nyman is running a ‘Fantastic ekphrastic’ poetry workshop - fun, friendly and with no experience necessary.
Free to attend but bookings essential - please enquire at the Gallery or via 06 765 0917.

Also on Saturday 17th:
Creative Fibre is featuring spinning in the first of their demonstrations/have-a-go series.

The full schedule of public programmes is on the Gallery’s website now.

A reminder that ‘Fibreworks 2026’ and ‘Liminal Spaces: Mikaela Nyman & Ellie Field’ open this Saturday (10 October) at 2pm - all welcome. The shows look amazing!

Images:
Mikaela Nyman ‘Into the woods’ (detail)
Maree Liddington ‘Snowbird’ (detail)

04/10/2026

The Gallery is CLOSED while we install two new exhibitions:

🌟 Fibreworks 2026
🌟 Liminal Spaces - Mikaela Nyman and Ellie Field

We reopen on Saturday 10 October at 10am, and celebrate with afternoon tea from 2pm.

Art, culture and creativity thrive in this beautiful region and we can’t wait to share these stellar shows with you all!

03/10/2026

As we prepare to say “haere rā” to this marvellous show, we’d love to wish the artists of the 2026 Taranaki Arts Trail the very best for this year’s event (30 October - 8 November).

We’re so proud to support your mahi and are deeply grateful for all you do to enliven our region’s creative sector. Ka rawe!

30/09/2026

Artists can paint with pigment, but they can also ‘paint’ with other materials too! The gestural use of colour and the interplay of shape can be used to great effect - to convey mood, movement and character - across media and disciplines.

Taranaki Arts Trail Preview 2026 is in its closing days, so don’t miss out!

Images:
- Henriette Reason ‘Liquid Fire’
- Brendan Larsen ‘Milky Way over Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki’ (detail)
- Stuart Morris ‘Two friends hanging out’
- Milarky ‘..Placement/Displacement’
- Hayley Elliott-Kernot ‘The Protea Woman’ (detail)
- Lester Earl ‘Unsure’
- Mauricio Benega ‘ Surf Highway 45’
- Lynn Webb ‘Near Wai-iti’
- Mark Bellringer ‘Moki Road’
- Portia Roper ‘Loki’