Archived Events

A playful exploration of Eastern and Western folk influences. Set at Te Atamira, the creative confluence of the Queenstown community, we explore the composer and their musical creation as a prism, a conduit for us to connect with both ourselves and the richly cultured world around us. Friday 11 October, 7:30pm

This AWE+ Free Performance showcases our Emerging Artists and Composer. Friday 11 October, 4:30pm

An AWE+ Free Performance curated by soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe. The folk songs in this bespoke programme celebrate centuries of European folk tradition with a touch of Aotearoa, all brought together with Deborah’s many strummed instruments. Friday 11 October, 5:30pm

Led by accredited Art teacher Michelle, our bespoke, multidisciplinary arts programme is designed to spark creativity through a range of workshops. Monday 30 September – Friday 11 October, 9:30am - 3pm (Extended times available) | Age groups 5-7 and 8-12

11 to 16 year olds, join us for an immersive two-day songwriting workshop led by acclaimed singer/songwriter and music producer Solomon Crook. Wednesday 9 October and Thursday 10 October, 10am - 3pm.

A special piano-focused programme with Hungarian Festival Artist Daniel Lebhardt bringing a piece of his heritage to AWE. Monday 7 October, 7:30pm

This AWE+ Free Performance presents an intimate set of Folk Songs curated by baritone Morgan Pearse in response to the festival’s folk theme. Monday 7 October, 6:30pm

AWE 2024 opens with Dispersion, an eclectic programme that delves into the intersection where folk music and classical music meet. Saturday 5 October, 4pm & 7pm

An AWE+ Free Performance featuring the 2024 ROSL Pettman Scholars Lorna Zhang (violin) and Madeleine Xiao (piano) who are joined by Festival Artists Benjamin Baker (violin) and Morgan Pearse (baritone) for this 30 minute showcase. Monday 5 October, 6pm

An exhibition by local artist Karen Scott including artwork from her daughters Rosa and Sophie, based on observations of the visual changes wrought through different light and weather conditions on the iconic Queenstown landmark the Remarkables and its environs. Open daily until 4 October

This October school holidays, get creative with your little one and each sculpt a clay version of your beloved pet to take home. Wednesday 2 October, 4pm - 6pm.

Join us for an afternoon of creative learning. Led by accredited Art teacher, Michelle, this termly programme aims to foster curiosity and a love of learning in the visual arts. Fridays, Term 3 | 11am - 12:30pm | Ages 5-12

Come along to our Afterschool Programme where we form a fun environment for creative learning for tamariki. Mondays - Drama and Theatre Sports | Tuesdays - Textile Threads | Wednesdays - Creative Clay | Thursdays - Mixed Media, Term 3 | From 3:30pm | Ages 5 - 12

This class is designed for parents and caregivers of babies who enjoy movement and music. The class is designed to spark a bit of joy and encourage mental well-being. Friday 27 September, 11am - 11:45am

Wriggle and Rhyme is a weekly music and movement programme for pēpē and tamariki aged 0-2. Join our facilitator Sunny Sky of EpicKids for this 45-minute class. Two sessions available: Mondays, 10am - 10:45am and 11am - 11:45am

‍A fire that blackened the rocks is an exhibition that considers what can be imperceptible or unknowable about our experiences of the world around us. Open daily until 19 September

Southland born Samoan-Scottish painter Lyle Penisula shares his identity through 15 vibrant paintings, drawing on his journey so far as an artist and pastor. Exhibition opening: Thursday 22 August, 5pm

Voices Unleashed is an immersive experience in choral music, combining five choirs from our illustrious community of voices, of varying sizes and style. Join us again this year for an unforgettable experience. Community Sing to follow the performance. Friday 13 September, 7:30pm

Acclaimed New Zealand author Emily Perkins joins Queenstown Writers Festival for a special conversation to launch their 2024 programme. Ticket includes a drink and food plus a first peek at this year’s events.

Connect to Polynesian cultural heritage and journey through carving Polynesian motifs, led by New Zealand born Samoan artist Ana Teofilo. Saturday 31 August, 1pm - 4pm

Come and join Queenstown's latest vocal group 'the Euphonics' on a musical journey of soul, RnB, Jazz and gospel classics with a twist! Friday 30 August, 7pm - 8:30pm | Doors open from 6:30pm

Join Southland artist Lyle Penisula in this painting workshop, exploring aspects of your identity through drawing and paint. Saturday 24 August, 1pm - 4pm

Wakatipu High School brings us a colourful exhibition of artworks on paper, exploring themes of creativity, diversity and experimentation. Opening Thursday 8 August, 5:30pm | MANAAKI NUI | Free

International pottery master, Kwak Kyungtae demonstrates ancient Korean wheelthrowing in the morning, and the traditional Korean method of handbuilding Onggi pots in the afternoon. Tuesday 13 August, 9:30am - 12:30pm and 2pm - 5pm | TE PĀ MATAPAIA | $100

As the frost blankets the ground and winter’s breath whispers in the air Queenstown Arts Society presents Winter Tale, an enchanting art exhibition celebrating visual stories and diverse narratives of local and regional artists. Open daily until 2 August | MANAAKI NUI | Free

Donna Dean is an artist not to be missed. A velvet voice with something to say. A songwriter's songwriter, winner of APRA and Tui awards. Friday 2 August, 7:30pm - 9:30pm | PUĀWAI | $20

An accessible art workshop for adults who may face barriers to participating and would like to use creativity to advance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am – 1pm | MAHI TAHI | Free, registrations essential

Are you passionate about the arts and looking for a way to give back to your community? Te Atamira is excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteer Programme, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Thursday 25 July and Monday 29 July, 6pm - 8pm

Mark your diaries for creativity and community during June and July to celebrate Matariki! Free art, craft, and kōrero events for all. Saturday 8 June - Sunday 28 July

A rare opportunity to see a collection of unique kākahu (cloaks) made by internationally recognised Māori weaver Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron MNZM, along with hand-made taonga puoro (musical instruments) from Roka’s collection. Curated by Dr Awhina Tamarapa. Open daily until 28 July | WHAKAARI | Free

Connect with other women in a nourishing and safe space of listening and sharing from the heart. Saturday 27 July, 5:30pm - 7:30pm | KAPA RUA | Koha

Join us for an immersive three-hour memoir-writing workshop with award-winning author, Caroline Barron, for a rare opportunity to refine your craft, unlock your creativity, and bring your personal story to life. Sunday 21 July, 10:30am - 1:30pm | PUĀWAI | $59

Leave your creative mark at Remarkables Park Town Centre! We’re on a mission to jazz up our parents' room with a fabulous new mural, and we need YOUR help! The session will be led by art teacher Raquel, who will guide children to design and paint their own 2D balloon. Saturday 20 July, 10am and 1pm | MAHI TAHI | Ages 5 - 12 | Free

Led by accredited Art teacher Michelle, our bespoke, multidisciplinary arts programme will enhance and enthuse all through a range of workshops. Monday 8 July – Friday 19 July, 9:30am - 3pm (Extended session options available) | Age groups 5-7 and 8-12

An event in conjunction with Queenstown Arts Society Winter Tale exhibition. Artist Ira Mitchell will give an artist talk with art career advice from her own successful art career to date. Monday 15 July, 6pm | MANAAKI NUI | Gold coin donation

Come work on all dimensions of your body with class, femininity and sensuality with the ancient art of Belly Dance. Belly dance is for all body shapes, races and ages. Saturday 13 July, 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Kapa Rua | $15

Film director Tearepa Kahi (Poi E, Muru) leads a creative workshop for young people aged 12-18, exploring how to generate and capture your ideas for film and video. Monday 8 July, 10am - 1pm | PUĀWAI | $45

Come along to our Youthtown Afterschool Programme where we form a fun environment for creative learning for tamariki aged 5-12. Mondays - Drama and Theatre Sports | Wednesdays - Creative Clay | Thursdays - Mixed Media | 3:30pm - 5pm

Join us for a free screening of 'Muru' to celebrate Matariki 2024. Sunday 7 July, 12pm | PUĀWAI | Free - NOTE: Rated MA 15+

Join us for a free screening of 'Poi E' to celebrate Matariki 2024, with a Director's talk to follow. Rated G, Suitable for general audiences. Sunday 7 July, 6pm | PUĀWAI | Free

QAS, TART and Kasia Hebda Studio offer a co-lab Awaken Your Inner Child workshop as part of the Winter Tale exhibition. Unlock your artistic potential and explore the world of creativity with our innovative and experimental drawing techniques. You will create a unique work of art that showcases your personal style and creativity. Frame included. Saturday 6 July, 4pm - 6pm | MANAAKI NUI | $40

A spectacular short film showcase night that supports filmmaking at grassroots levels in the Queenstown Lakes District area and beyond. From sketches, documentaries, music videos, animations and more, this promises to be a fun night for all lovers of film. Wednesday 3 July, 7.15pm - 10pm | PUĀWAI | $10

Join us for a series of creative and hands-on workshops where we explore a variety of mediums and art forms. Led by accredited art teacher Michelle, these workshops will offer a variety of ways to have fun in the Arts | Tuesdays 3:30-5pm | Ages 12-18

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of drama and theatrical fun | Mondays, Term time | Ages 5-7 3:30 - 4:15pm | Ages 8-12 4:15 - 5pm | KAPA TAHI

Wriggle and Rhyme is a music and movement programme for pēpē and tamariki aged 0-2 held weekly in our Kapa Tahi space. Join our facilitator Sunny Sky of EpicKids for this 45-minute class. Now available two sessions: Monday 10-10:45am and 11-11:45am. Registrations essential.

Come and spend your Matariki public holiday experiencing the arts of weaving in person, with live demonstrations from Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron and weaving students from Te Pūkenga. Friday 28 June | 10am-2pm | Free

Discover the dramatic art of charcoal landscape drawing. Join Kasia Hebda, artist and art conservator, for an engaging evening focused on the fundamentals of drawing landscapes with charcoal. This workshop will help you understand the importance of value and tonality, and how to use charcoal to create expressive and dynamic landscape drawings. Wednesday 26 June, 6pm - 8pm | Mahi Tahi | $30/$60

Join Kasia Hebda, artist and art conservator, for an enchanting evening to fly into the world of watercolour painting. This workshop will guide you through the techniques needed to paint beautiful birds, capturing their vibrant colours and delicate features. Tuesday 25 June, 6pm - 8pm | Mahi Tahi | $75

Join artist Kasia Hebda on Sunday for a deep dive into botanical illustration drawing. This workshop is perfect for all skill levels, whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist. Learn key drawing techniques and tricks to capture the intricate details of plants and flowers, and take home your own stunning botanical drawing. Sunday 23 June, 1pm - 4pm | Mahi Tahi | $35/$75

Dance QT presents their Mid Winter Showcase performance. Showcasing dancers aged 2-18years! Dance styles included are hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical/acro dances. Friday 21 June, 5pm or 7pm | PUĀWAI | $5 - $10

Celebrate the development of the exciting medium of comic books, with a focus on local, national and international illustrators, writers, cartoonists and graphic artists. Open daily until June 20 | MANAAKI NUI | Free, all welcome

Join Queenstown Arts Society for eight individual classes of classical figure drawing, guided by artist Kasia Hebda. Enhance your drawing skills and deepen your understanding of composition, line, mass, and texture through observational drawing with a life model. Sundays 4pm -5:45pm, 21 April - May 25 | Wednesdays 6pm - 7:45pm, 29 May - 19 June | PUĀWAI | $25 + $3 booking fee per class.

Director of the Dowse Art Museum, Karl Chitham, talks to some of the major artistic projects and partnerships that have been shaping conversations about toi Māori in Aotearoa and on the world stage. Saturday 15 June, 3pm | PUĀWAI | $5, registration essential

Curator Dr Awhina Tamarapa talks with renowned kairaranga Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron about the importance of her weaving practice in connecting people and knowledge. Saturday 8 June, 2pm | WHAKAARI | Free

Wao brings a selection of top festival films to Queenstown. Award winning films and documentaries set to inspire deep connection with the natural world. Friday 7 June - Saturday 8 June

Want to paint like a pro? Join Kasia Hebda, an artist and art conservator, for a 5-week in-depth exploration of watercolour painting techniques. Every Thursday from 9 May - 6 June, 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI | $300

Presenting previously unseen or rarely seen works, this exhibition direct from the New Zealand Portrait Gallery brings together a selection of Ian Scott’s paintings from the last three decades of his life. Open daily until 3 June | WHAKAARI | Free, all welcome

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Queenstown, Frankton, this three-hour immersive experience promises to unlock your artistic potential and help you start your adventure with capturing landscapes. Saturday 1 June, 1-4pm | PUĀWAI | $75/$20 + Booking Fee

Dress up and get your dancing shoes on along with renowned choreographer Michael Parmenter and Dunedin dance aficionado Kate Grace. In this community dance event, Michael and Kate will guide us through the steps of dances that blend centuries-old European traditions with modern flair. Open to all! 7-9pm Saturday 25 May | PUĀWAI | $39/$34

Head into our comic art exhibition Kapow! to celebrate Free Comic Book Day. This is a worldwide annual event designed to introduce new titles and genres to comic book fans. We have dozens of comic books to give away - with an extra copy for anyone dressed as their favourite character! 9am - 5pm | Saturday 25 May | MANAAKI NUI | Free

A workshop for dancers and non-dancers alike. Focusing on the idea of how movement feels in the body and using a joyful, fun, curiosity based approach. Ages 12+ (parents can to bring bubs), all levels of movement experience welcome. 9 - 10:30am | Saturday 25 May | Kapa Rua | $5 - $15

Join Natalie Poole for a 5Rhythms dance workshop where we will dance through the 5Rhythms wave together by the mountains, The Remarkables. Saturday 18 May - Sunday 19 May, 10am - 5pm | PUĀWAI | $235 + Booking Fee

Ian Scott (1945 – 2013) was a leading New Zealand painter who, over the course of a 50 year career, consistently pushed the boundaries of representational art and the use of appropriated imagery from art history. Join Director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Jaenine Parkinson to learn more about our exhibition Ian Scott: Painting New Zealand. 1.30pm, Saturday 11 May | WHAKAARI | Free

Join Kasia Hebda, artist and art conservator, for a Portrait Drawing Workshop designed especially for beginners. Delve into the fascinating world of portraiture as Kasia shares her expert tips and tricks for creating captivating portraits while unraveling the optical challenges inherent in depicting people. Saturday 11 May, 1-4pm | PUĀWAI | $75/$20 + $3 Booking Fee

Remarkable Theatre is thrilled to be performing the short-listed finalist scripts from 2024's play writing competition. 8 short plays have been chosen for your viewing pleasure. You the audience decides which comedy will be the winner. Friday 3 May, 7pm | PUĀWAI | $25 + Booking Fee

Te Atamira is pleased to announce a call for creative projects centered around the theme of Patterns, our curatorial theme from July 2024 through to June 2026. Proposals will be accepted and considered up until 11.59pm on 1 May 2024.

These five week block courses with Raquel Carter are focused on hand building ceramic vessels in different ways. Covering all basic skills from starting with a block of clay through the entire making process, exploring different techniques, decorating styles and the glazing process. Mondays and Fridays beginning 29 April, 10am - 1pm | TE PA MATAPAIA | $285

Join us for a fun-filled, arts and craft-packed holiday programme. Led by accredited Art teacher Michelle and run in collaboration with Youthtown, our bespoke, multidisciplinary arts programme will enhance and enthuse all through a range of workshops. Monday 15 April – Friday 26 April, 9am-3pm | Age groups 5-7 and 8-12

Join us at a drawing workshop with Dunedin-based comic artist Justin Young, all about superhero anatomy, character design, and world building. Sunday 21 April, 11.30am- 2.30pm | MAHI TAHI | Ages 12+ | $45

SECOND SHOW ADDED. Magical things can happen when you're diagnosed with a brain tumour! Emma Lange brings this one-of-a-kind solo comedy home to Queenstown, after wowing the big cities and winning ardent fans like Dame Jools Topp. Friday 19 April, 7pm and Saturday 20 April, 7pm | PUĀWAI | $25/$20

Experience the captivating world of piano music with award-winning international pianist and composer, Daniel Verstappen. Belgium-based Daniel blends classical elegance with contemporary innovation, reconnecting all ages with classical music. Wednesday 17 April, 7pm | PUĀWAI | $25/$35

Piano students and teachers – take this opportunity to join international pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen in a masterclass working directly with students. Daniel will focus on technique, performance for concerts or exams, posture, rhythm and more. Wednesday 17 April, 1pm | PUĀWAI | $15/$10

Four nationally recognised intaglio printmakers bring together their individual explorations of environments, atmosphere and language. Kyla Cresswell, Catherine Macdonald, Prue MacDougall and Nan Mulder respond to Hone Tuwhare's poem 'Rain', creating a visual connection with the written word, investigating the aural landscape, our fundamental ties to nature, elements of time and the human experience. Open daily until 14 April | MANAAKI NUI | Free

Drop in and create a badge as a memento, inspired by printmaker Kyla Cresswell’s creative markmaking. Sunday 14 April, 11am-2pm | MANAAKI NUI | $5 a badge

Try a great fun intaglio printmaking technique using recycled tetra pak cartons to make etchings with Kyla Cresswell. This material is easy to shape, cut into and print from. Create something uniquely yours - by using an etching press, create your own handmade prints. Saturday 13 April 2024, 10am - 3.30pm | MAHI TAHI | $120

Come along to our Youthtown Afterschool Programme where we form a fun environment for creative learning for tamariki aged 5-12. Mondays - Drama and Theatre Sports | Wednesdays - Creative Clay | Thursdays - Mixed Media | 3:30pm - 5pm

Come to this weekly (drop-in) Afro dance class - learning to move to West African rhythms, mainly Guinean influenced by Afro-brazilian and Afro-cuban cultures with Melina Shabe. Every Wednesday 7pm | KAPA RUA

Join us for a series of creative and hands-on workshops where we explore a variety of mediums and art forms. Led by accredited art teacher Michelle, these workshops will offer a variety of ways to have fun in the Arts. Tuesdays 3:30-5pm | Ages 12-18

ProDanceNz is delivering a professional, profound and progressive dance education to students of all ages. Every Tuesday during the term: 5-6pm Contemporary Junior (10-13 years) and 6-7pm Contemporary Teens (13+ years) | KAPA RUA

NO CLASSES IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - Wriggle and Rhyme is a music and movement programme for pēpē and tamariki aged 0-2 held weekly in our Kapa Tahi space. Join our facilitator Sunny Sky of EpicKids for this 45-minute class. Now available two sessions: Monday 10-10:45am and 11-11:45am. Registrations essential.

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of drama and theatrical fun | Mondays, Term 4 | Ages 5-7 3:30 - 4:15pm | Ages 8-12 4:15 - 5pm | KAPA TAHI

Curated by Gina Matchitt, Īnakinaki is an exhibition of artwork by Wi Taepa and Kristin O’Sullivan Peren. Their diverse practices of uku, printmaking, and digital light coding intersect in this installation. Friday 26 January - Monday 1 April | WHAKAARI | Free

A Good Friday recital celebrating the most sumptuous songs ever written about death, love and hope, including Strauss’s Four Last Songs and Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder. Friday 29 March, 5-7pm | PUĀWAI | $40/$25

QAS is bringing back life-drawing classes! Join us for four weeks of classical figure drawing, guided by artist Kasia Hebda. Enhance your drawing skills and deepen your understanding of composition, line, mass, and texture through observational drawing with a life model. Sundays 3, 10, 17, 24 March, 4:15 - 5:45pm | PUĀWAI | $25 + $3 booking fee per class

Footnote NZ Dance are offering a free community masterclass for ages 12-18 as part of their IYKYK tour. Taught by Footnote's company dancers, you will have the opportunity to learn repertoire from the show and experience the choreographic process used to create it! Friday 22 March, 7 - 8:15pm | KAPA TAHI | Free

Footnote NZ Dance is offering an open adults masterclass as part of their IYKYK tour. Taught by Footnote's company dancers, you will have the opportunity to learn repertoire from the show and experience the choreographic process used to create it! Friday 22 March, 7:30pm | KAPA RUA | $50

Want to paint like a pro? Join Kasia Hebda, an artist and art conservator, for a five week in-depth exploration of watercolour painting techniques. Every Thursday from 22 February - 21 March, 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI | $300

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi and Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa are bringing leaders, decision-makers, artists and creative champions together to amplify the arts, and uncover how creativity can propel us forward. These breakfast events are free, and everyone is welcome – even if you haven’t felt creative in years! Wednesday 13 March, 7:30am - 9am | PUAWAI | Free

Extend your painting skills in a summer workshop with landscape painter Kelly Pearce, who shares a variety of techniques for working with oil paints. Suitable for those who have painted a little already and would like to learn more about the creative use of oils. Sunday 25 February, 9.30am-4pm | MAHI TAHI | $140

Calling all garden and art lovers! Come and explore some of the Whakatipu Basin's best gardens and art galleries, all in support of Plunket. Thursday 8 February - Sunday 11 February | Various venues around Queenstown | FREE - $100

On the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, senior weaver Rokahurihia Cameron demonstrates making paper from harakeke whītau (flax fibre). Join us for a hands-on experience. Tuesday 6th February, 1pm – 3pm | MAHI TAHI | Free, registration required.

Join Auckland based artist Prue MacDougall in her fun and quirky stone printing workshop. This will be an enjoyable way to make a keepsake from some locally sourced stone. Sunday 4 February, 2-5pm | MAHI TAHI | $45

This bookbinding workshop focuses on 2 glue-free styles of binding. In a hands-on class, you will make a simple one-fold softcover notebook and two versions of a Japanese stab-bound book. Books can then be used for sketching, writing, albums, scrapbooking and more. Sunday 4 February, 10am - 1pm | MAHI TAHI | $120

Nan Mulder is an internationally recognised expert in the mezzotint. This is a time consuming, but beautiful printmaking technique, whereby the artist scrapes and burnishes the image into a prepared ‘rocked’ copperplate, working from dark to light. Come and see Nan demonstrating her technique within the exhibition small holes in the silence. Sunday 4 February, 1.30pm | MANAAKI NUI | FREE

Join artist Catherine Macdonald for an evening of art and writing. Catherine will facilitate a discussion about artist/writer collaborations, exploring connections and fostering relationships between the writing community and the art world. Sunday 4 February, 7pm | MANAAKI NUI | Free - registration required.

A spectacular short film showcase night that supports filmmaking at grassroots levels in the Queenstown Lakes District area and beyond. From sketches, documentaries, music videos and more, this promises to be a fun night for all lovers of film. Thursday 1 February, 7:30pm - 9:45pm | PUAWAI | $5

Join us for a fun-filled, arts and craft-packed holiday programme. Led by accredited Art teacher Michelle, our bespoke, multidisciplinary arts programme will enhance and enthuse all through a range of workshops. Wednesday 10 January – Wednesday 31 January, 9:30am - 3pm | Age groups 5-7 and 8-12

Ahead of Waitangi Day, we invite you to an introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi over a cup of tea with local kaumatua (elder) Darren Rewi. Darren will answer questions about the Treaty, its history here in the South, and the part we all play in upholding the principles of the Treaty as citizens of Aotearoa. Wednesday 31 January, 6pm | PUĀWAI | FREE, All welcome

Te Atamira's inaugural summer group exhibition is a riot of colour and texture evoking the yarns, legends and moments of summertime in the South. Over 40 artists explore the landscapes, cultures, and histories associated with the southern region of Aotearoa in the summer. Saturday 2 December - Tuesday 30 January | MANAAKI NUI