Kaiapoi Art Expo (2026)

Come and see hundreds of artworks from Waimakariri artists on display over two days under one roof at the Kaiapoi Club, plus the School Art Expo from Waimakariri Schools. The 2024 Expo will be the biggest yet! The expo displays a wide range of art disciplines by local art groups and individual artists, all under one roof, over 2 days. An event not to be missed, block out the weekend of July 6th an

d July 7th 2024, open from 10am to 5pm at the Kaiapoi Club, Raven Quay, Kaiapoi. Entry is via gold coin only. Still going strong in its 18th year, on show will be 800 artworks from 140 artists including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, textiles, woodwork and more, something for all art lovers. Alongside the Expo is the very popular School Art Expo sponsored by Pak'N Save Rangiora featuring a fantastic display of artworks from a wide group of Waimakariri Schools. On display is a varied array of artistic interpretations of life in our community through the skills of painters, drawers, potters, weavers, jewelers and sculptors. Whether the medium is clay, metal, paper, canvas or fabric the result will be sure to fascinate anyone interested in the expression of art in its many forms. On Saturday Have A Go at being an artist for the day by visiting the very popular Have-A-Go event downstairs at the Kaiapoi Club 10am to 5pm. There will be various mediums of art where you can have a go! Pottery, painting, collage, embroidery, felting, photography, quilting, weaving and more. Plus, if that isn't enough to entice you out to Kaiapoi, the Blackwell's carpark will be host once again to the now famous Blackwell's Live Ice Sculpting event kicking off at 12.30pm followed by the Blackwell's Fire and Ice market starting at 4.30pm. The Kaiapoi Art Expo offers emerging artists, from beginners to professionals and crafts people an opportunity to display and develop their talents. We offer a unique environment and opportunity for artists who thrive on the ability to interact with other artists, visitors and allied art groups. We invite you to join us in this supportive, social and inspirational environment celebrating our local arts and artists. A comprehensive catalogue is available as you enter the Kaiapoi Art Expo.

02/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to experience the 2026 Corcoran French Kaiapoi Art Expo! We hope you enjoyed it.

28/07/2026

Wasn't the PAK'nSAVE Rangiora Art Expo great. We have such talented young people in our district.

Congratulations to Rangiora New Life School the Pak'nSave School Art People's Choice Award winner, and runner up Te Matauru Primary!

Congratulations to all the award winners and exhibitors. You should all be proud of yourselves.

Best Secondary School panel
Oxford Area School

Best Primary School panel
St Patrick’s School

26/07/2026

Huge congratulations to our award winners!

Maggie Thompson for Best Pastel
Emma G Potteree for Best Ceraminc
Karyn Hitchman for Best Panel

Maggie Thompson
Passionate pastel artist exploring my world and learning to see. Inspired by the natural world and beautiful objects.

Emma G Potteree
Exploring the wonder that is Pottery and where the clay takes you. No two pieces are the same. Constantly learning, trying new things. Pushing the boundaries and loving the mindfulness that it brings. Highlight of 2025 was taking a class in Paris!

Karyn Hitchman Artist
Working in oils, I embrace the timeless tradition of classic realism, allowing myself the freedom to blend and layer colours, capturing textures, fabrics, and subtle expressions that breathe life into each piece.
In my paintings I aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia, curiosity, and reverence, encouraging reflection on the histories we carry within us.

25/07/2026

Huge congratulations to our award winners!

Mel Warren for Best Portrait
Jan McClelland for Best Landscape
Justine Woosman for Best Wildlife

Mel Warren
Specializing in oil traditional portraiture, I explore the intersection of light and human emotion. Through meticulous glazing and layered depth, I capture a "living" quality in my subjects. My work blends classical realism with atmospheric intensity, creating portraits that are both timelessly elegant and profoundly personal.

Jan McClelland
I'm an award winning, self taught artist from Kaiapoi, who enjoys working exclusively in soft pastels and pastel pencils, which a wide range of techniques and detail can be achieved. I particularly enjoy the challenge of creating detailed portraits of animals, and love to capture the vivid beauty of landscapes.

Justine Woosman Drawn To Nature
I have been drawing my whole life. I have a deep love and passion for animals. The pencils I use are Faber Castell Polychromos. They are high quality artist pencils and are one of the most light-fast mediums to use. This means they do not fade over time.

24/07/2026

Huge congratulations to Christine Watton and Mark Larsen Art who jointly won the Kaiapoi Competition.

Christine is a Kaiapoi based artist, currently represented by Art Box Gallery in Christchurch and her works are also available for sale at 'Love Your Home' Kaiapoi. Her artwork can be also be viewed at local businesses and in community spaces. Christine runs Creativity workshops out of Paper Jam at the Kaiapoi Mill.

Mark Larsen is a local sculptor and painting artist; whose sculpture work often blends steel, reclaimed materials, heritage influences, and handcrafted detail. His paintings are inspired by historic objects and architecture, he creates pieces that celebrate craftsmanship, memories and stories found within everyday life. Commission Welcome.

22/07/2026

Huge congratulations to Jeff Sherman who took out the John Rhind Funeral Directors Kaiapoi People's Choice Third Place Award for his work "Morven Hills Cookhouse". Presented by Mark Glanville.

Jeff is a local North Canterbury artist residing in Pegasus. His larger sizes acrylic on canvas landscapes often depict rustic or historic buildings in their natural surroundings and have wide appeal to many for their nostalgia value and attention to detail.

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https://events.humanitix.com/2026-kaiapoi-art-expo-official-opening, http://www.kaiapoiartexpo.co.nz/

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