Archived Events

Immemorial features emotionally powerful works taking inspiration from the past, from Alfred Schnittke to Arvo Pärt. Many of these works profoundly influenced this year’s Composer in Residence, Victoria Kelly. Friday 13 October, 8pm | WHAKAARI | $65

This AWE+ Free Performance showcases the 2023 AWE Emerging Artists. Friday 13 October, 5pm | WHAKAARI | Free

An AWE+ Free Violin and Dance Performance reimagining Bach’s second solo violin partita, with the interspersion of modern solo violin works by NZ composers Karlo Margetić and Gareth Farr. Performed in collaboration with dance from CONJAH. Friday 13 October, 6pm | WHAKAARI | Free

The Young Musicians Session is an interactive event that gives young, local musicians the opportunity to meet, hear, and play alongside AWE Artists, truly experiencing the fullness of AWE. Friday 13 October, 3-5pm | WHAKAARI | Free

In this free workshop, this year’s Composer in Residence, Victoria Kelly, and this year’s Composer Mentor, Salina Fisher, coach local high school composers with one-on-one sessions. Friday 13 October, 1-5pm | PUĀWAI | Free

This AWE+ Free Event invites the audience to meet the AWE Festival Artists over drinks and nibbles. Friday 13 October, 7pm | WHAKAARI | Free

Experience the sights and sounds of our festival artists deep within their performance preparation. Friday 6 October and Wednesday 11 October, 2 - 6pm | WHAKAARI | Free

Launching the 2023 festival, Sono is the Portuguese word describing the cerebral feeling of wanting to be or trying to get back to sleep. Here begins the exploration of identity, with three composers defining their musical voice on their own terms. Saturday 7 October, 4pm and 7pm | WHAKAARI | $65

This AWE+ Free Performance showcases the unique musical language of two composers on opposite sides of the Atlantic, Janáček and Harbison, giving a closer look at the French Horn and a taste of what’s to come later in the festival. Saturday 7 October, 6pm | WHAKAARI | Free

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. Age groups 5-7 and 8-12 | Monday 25 September – Friday 6 October, 9:30am - 3pm

Unlock the rhythmic magic of the Angklung. Join the Indonesian Community in Queenstown for a weekly Angklung workshop and immerse yourself in captivating world of this traditional bamboo instrument. Every Saturday until 30 September, 4:30 - 6pm | KAPA RUA | FREE

Queenstown Art Society and Kasia Hebda Studio invite you for another Term of our Still Life Drawing Course. 3 week course, every Wednesday from 13 September - 27 September, 6-7:30pm | MAHI TAHI

Book now for this year's Queenstown Salsa Festival hosted by Pasion Salsa. Featuring workshops with some of New Zealand and Australia's top instructors, performances, and parties, this festival is set to be a fun filled, electrifying party for dancers of all levels. Thursday 21 September - Sunday 24 September | KAPA TAHI, KAPA RUA, PUĀWAI, WHAKAARI

Chris Priestley, Cameron Bennett, Nigel Gavin and Sonia Wilson present The Unsung Heroes, telling stories from New Zealand's distant past in song. Each song is introduced with historic images, newspaper clippings and poems read by Peter Elliot. Not to be missed - Saturday 23 September, 7:30pm | PUĀWAI

Ārai Awa is an immersive video installation reflecting on the obstructed ancestral journey of tuna (eels) in the Whakatipu region. Led by Rachael Rakena and Paulette Tamati-Elliffe with a creative team including Laughton Kora, Michael Bridgman, Komene Cassidy, Tūmai Cassidy, Ross Hemera, Amber Bridgman, Iain Frengley, Arihia Latham, Donna Matahaere-Atariki and Virginia Watson.

In this series with artist Raquel Carter, you will explore basic sketching techniques and materials for portraits: acrylics, collage layering, proportions, creating form, and working with mixed media. Friday 1, 8, 15, 22 September, 5:30 - 8:00pm | MAHI TAHI

Come along to our Youthtown Afterschool Programme where we form a fun environment for creative learning. Mondays - Drama and Theatre Sports | Wednesdays - 3D Creative Fun | Thursdays - 2D Creative Fun | 3:30pm - 5pm

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 13-18

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

Fresh from the release of Far North, David White will be visiting Queenstown for this one-off workshop where you will learn how to take your film idea through development, from a one-pager to a dynamic and compelling script. Saturday 16 September, 9am - 5pm | PUĀWAI | $25

Creative agency Osborne Shiwan is bringing TDC to Queenstown in 2023. The annual Type Directors Club Awards recognises international design excellence and typographic innovation across many languages, including te reo Māori. Friday 18 August - Wednesday 13 September | MANAAKI NUI | FREE

On the eve of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe (Kāti Hāwea, Kāi Te Pahi, Kāi Te Ruahikihiki (Ōtākou), Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga) will share her role in the revitalisation of the Māori language. Sunday 10 September, 11am | PUĀWAI

Join us to hear Tūmai Cassidy take us on a journey exploring the importance of the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project. Saturday 9 September, 3pm | PUĀWAI

Voices Unleashed is an immersive experience in choral music, combining five choirs from our illustrious community of voices, of varying sizes and styles. Friday 8 September, 7:30pm | PUĀWAI | $35

Join artist Kasia Hebda on a five-week creative path to learn the basics of watercolour painting. Based on botanical still life subjects, each week we will practice painting different objects ranging from fruits to flowers and foliage, creating original work during every lesson. Thursdays August 10, 17, 24, 31 & September 7 | MAHI TAHI | 6-8pm

Te Atamira is excited to announce a call for submissions for our inaugural end-of-year exhibition. Submissions close Sunday 20 August 2023

Award-winning creatives Lloyd Osborne and Shabnam Shiwan discuss how type design drives culture, using examples from their own practice including design work for Karen Walker and Atamira Dance Company. This talk will fascinate anyone interested in the interplay of brand, typography and visual culture, including design professionals and students. 11am Saturday 19 August | MANAAKI NUI | FREE

In this colour and texture series with artist Raquel Carter, you will explore brushstrokes and styles of acrylic painting. basics, layering, creating form, and working with colour. | Friday 21, 28 July and 4, 11, and 18 August | 5:30pm - 8:00pm | MAHI TAHI

Wellington-based printmaker and tutor Marci Tackett brings a beautifully crafted and colourful selection of her works on paper to Te Atamira. Made over several years as an expression and processing of grief, these dynamic relief/ planographic prints, monotypes and photographic works are nonetheless full of life and explore new avenues of printmaking and colour. Opening Thursday July 20, 5.30pm – all welcome.

Queenstown Art Society and Kasia Hebda Studio invite you for a second term of their Still Life Drawing Course. 5 week block, every Wednesday starting 19 July, 6-7:30pm.

The Wakatipu High School Foundation presents an exclusive performance by the Yale Whiffenpoofs all the way from the USA and the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Sunday 13 August, 5-7pm | PUĀWAI

Mark your diaries for a month of creativity and community at Te Atamira to celebrate Matariki! Free craft, art and kai events for all.

Come for an uplifting Sunday with a singing performance from well-loved local waiata group Ngā Manu Hou. Our Matariki craft sessions will also be in full swing, so bring the whole family to enjoy our final day of Matariki celebrations. Sunday 23 July, 2-3pm | FREE | PUĀWAI

Join us for a free film screening of 'Ever the Land - a People, a Place, their building'. Directed by Sarah Grohnert, this film explores the sublime bond between people and their land through a landmark architectural undertaking by one of New Zealand’s most passionately independent Māori tribes, Ngāi Tūhoe.

Join us for a free film screening of 'Te Matakite o Aotearoa - The Māori Land March'. This film is a detailed chronicle of a key moment in the Māori Renaissance: the 1975 land march led by then-79-year-old Whina Cooper.

Explore creative ways of printmaking without a press, using transparent layering of plastic templates and newsprint masks. Saturday 22 July, 10am-1pm | MAHI TAHI | $50 unwaged / $70 waged

Turumeke Harrington's installation, Tātou tātou, nau mai rā encourages us all to play, interact and consider our goals in this thoughtful exploration of space, navigation and voyaging.

Distinguished Māori weaver Roka Hurihia Cameron brings her woven kākahu (cloaks) and taonga pūoro (musical instruments) to Te Atamira, and talks about interweaving different cultures in her work as a kairaranga (weaver) and kaiāko (teacher). Sunday 16 July | 2 - 3 pm | PUAWAI

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 enthuse all through a range of workshops. Age groups 5-7yrs and 8-12yrs | Monday 3 July - Thursday 13 July

Join us to hear from master carver Steve Solomon talking about his art, including how local materials, conditions and narratives have shaped his art of whakairo (carving). FREE | 2-3pm, Sunday 9 July | MANAAKI MAI

Join Gracie for a hip-hop, Afro/Dance, or Heel dance class. Monday 3 July: Hip Hop/Groove – 8:15–9:15pm, Wednesday 5 July: Afro/Dance hall – 8:15-9:15pm, Friday 7 July: Heels – 6:30–7:30pm

Te Atamira has invited our multicultural community to come together and host a series of kai nights to honour Matariki. This is an opportunity for all to share the unique food traditions of each culture and to reflect upon the significance of Matariki, which symbolises remembrance, celebration, and hope.

A rourou (food basket) is traditionally the first item that beginner weavers learn to make. Learn the history, traditions and correct tikanga associated with harakeke (New Zealand flax) and make a rourou to take home. | Wednesday 5 July, 1 - 3:30pm | Rangatahi - Ages 12-18

Come and join newly formed Project Symphonize in a joyful celebration of harmony. | Wednesday 28 June 2023 | 7.30pm (1 hour) | PUĀWAI

Yoga for Snowsports. With the help of yogic tools, our sessions are designed to train balance, strength & agility in the different layers of the body. Every Tuesday in June, 7:30 - 8:30pm

Join us for an extraordinary winter solstice celebration, hosted by Align Pilates, where we will ignite your inner light and empower you to thrive through the winter months | Thursday 22 June, 5:30 - 7pm | PUĀWAI

'Speed Dating' with a twist- Come along and connect with a cause close to your heart, discover a new passion, meet wonderful people and organisations who strengthen our community through their mahi, and find out how you can get involved.

This new site-specific exhibition by artists Miranda Bellamy and Amanda Fauteux unfolds the complex geological, botanical and human histories within schist.

Want to learn more about how you can reduce your household waste and save money doing it?! Sustainable Queenstown is bringing you Wastebusters' brand new workshop series: Low Waste Living - Households. | Thursday 15 June 2023 | 6.30pm | WHAKAARI

This exciting collective six-week contemporary jewellery artist residency and exhibition is going to be ever-evolving. Every week new artists will arrive to make in this wonderful space and more contemporary jewellery will be installed until we have a grand closing. | MANAAKI NUI

Marking the closing weekend of our remarkable schist installation, Stone Moves, by Miranda Bellamy & Amanda Fauteux, we present a compelling demonstration of the hidden scents in the plants that surround us here in the Queenstown landscape. Sunday 11 June |WHAKAARI | 2pm | FREE

Unwind after a busy week with an afternoon of community and creativity. During this Botanical Watercolour Workshop, we will be exploring watercolour in a fun and friendly environment. Immerse yourself in nature through observation while learning tips and tricks of this challenging painting technique. All levels are welcome. | 10 June | 1-4pm | WHAKAARI

Come along and explore the tapestry of our universe’s cosmology with Tau Huirama & Liz Kinley-Huirama. Join Tau & Liz for a two-day waananga for a rich glimpse into a Maaori world view, never shared in this unique way before. | 9 & 10 June 2023 | 9.30am-4pm each day | PUĀWAI

Throughout five engaging and immersive weeks, you'll be guided by experienced artist and art conservator, Kasia Hebda in the fundamentals of composition and technique. Our Still Life Drawing course is here to empower and inspire you! | Tuesdays 6 June - 4 July, 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI

A two-part workshop that explores the art of lost wax casting, an amazing jewellery process where you carve your idea into wax and then cast it in precious metal. It is an ancient practice that goes back thousands of years. | JUNGLE GYM | Part #1: JUNE 4 | 2-5pm

Join The Creative Workshop Co in this FREE workshop to create your glow-in-the-dark gratitude tree! Sunday 4 June 2023, 3-5pm | MAHI TAHI

Unleash your creativity and break the boundaries between you and the canvas in this two-day workshop with artists Lucca Rodriguez and Simona Parker! Saturdays 27 May 9am-3pm and 3 June 9am-12pm | MAHI TAHI

In this "Sketch and Paint" series - with Artist Raquel Carter, over 2 hrs each week - you will explore sketching, composition, acrylic painting basics, layering, creating form, and working with colour. | 2, 9, 16, 23 June 2023 | 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI

In this "Wild Mountain series" - with Artist Raquel Carter, over 2 hrs each week- you will explore acrylic painting basics, layering and discussing creating form, composition and colour. | 1, 8, 15, 22 June 2023 | 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI

Join experienced art tutor Grant Whibley in this four week course open to all (no experience needed). Wednesdays 10 - 31 May 2023 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | MAHI TAHI

A one day vocal workshop ending with a performance where we will learn 4-part harmonies of highlights from the hugely popular musical, 'Hamilton' by Lin Manuel Miranda. Whether you are an accomplished singer or a beginner - there is room for everyone. Sunday 28 May 2023 | 10:00am - 4:00pm | PUAWAI

Join us to delve into the remarkable schist exhibition in our Whakaari gallery, Stone Moves, with Curator of Art at Hocken Collections, Hope Wilson. Unpack the layers of geological, botanical and cultural history embedded in Miranda Bellamy and Amanda Fauteux’s installation of this much loved local stone. | Saturday 27 May | WHAKAARI | 2-3pm | FREE

BONES, a one person play exploring the stories we carry in our bones from our ancestors. Setting: a man baking scones telling stories of his mother, and singing a couple of songs really badly. | 25,26,27 May | FREE

You are warmly invited to join us in an evening celebrating contemporary jewellery. Meet local and visiting jewellers and view a stunning range of wearable pieces by leading contemporary artists from around the country. All welcome to this event.

Want to learn more about how you can reduce your household waste and save money doing it!? Sustainable Queenstown is bringing you Wastebusters' brand new workshop series - Low Waste Living - Households. | Thursday 25 May 2023 | 6.30pm | WHAKAARI

A 5-week series of Feldenkrais® lessons. Ideal for singers, musicians, artists, and artisans. Nicky will lead you through gentle movement sequences that help you discover better ways of organising your body in action. No previous experience needed.

Come to this workshop and get your hands on the tools and equipment of gold smithing and walk away with a simple silver ring. | JUNGLE GYM | MAY 21 | 2 sessions avail 2-4pm or 4-6pm

Come to this workshop to explore the art of colour in adornment with experimental materials. Come and make something wild and energetic to break all the tight boundaries we have around contemporary jewellery. | JUNGLE GYM | MAY 14 | 2-5pm

Queenstown Quilters & Patchworkers welcome Australian quilting artist Chris Jurd for a trunk show and talk. | 12 May 2023 | 7-8pm | $5 (at door) | PUĀWAI

A professional development opportunity for the wider jewellery community - bring your current work for a structured master class feedback session, exploring context, craft, and the art of editing for specific audiences. | JUNGLE GYM | MAY 7 | 2-5pm

The only rule here is ‘that we’re having fun!’ Join us for the world premier concert of Queenstown Party Orchestra – performing a joyful programme of Latin, light classics and pop covers. Think Billie Eilish meets the Pentatonix! Saturday 6 May 2023 | 7:00pm | PUAWAI

Come and create original artwork using acrylic and mixed media techniques in this two-hour, four-week workshop with Artist Raquel Carter. Thursdays 4 May - 25 May | 6-8pm | MAHI TAHI

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 13-18

After a sold-out tour in 2021 and 2022, Brent Street’s iconic team of choreographers are hitting the road again – bigger and better than before! For the first time ever, Paris Cavanagh, Cassie Bartho and Stephen Tannos will be travelling to Queenstown with Brent Street for an epic workshop experience. 1 May 2023 | 4:00pm - 8:00pm (9:00pm finish for auditionees) | PUAWAI

Dance, moving-meditation, music, and community. During this workshop, we will dance, move, share, and reflect. The workshop is open to anyone curious about dance as a practice for living well, no prior experience is necessary.

Come and create a bright and beautiful artwork in this two-hour, four week workshop with Artist Raquel Carter. Sundays 30 April - 21 May | 2-4pm | MAHI TAHI

Join Artist Raquel Carter for a free art taster workshop! Experiment with acrylic painting techniques, learn about colour wheel secrets and a variety of mediums and various techniques of mark-making effects and tonal drawing. | 2-4pm

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. Ages 5-12 | Tuesday 11 April - Friday 21 April

This two-day ceramics workshop with Raquel Carter will include basic hand-building skills that offer the student a foundation to create any form. Wednesday 19 April - Thursday 20 April | 10:30am - 1pm both days

Queenstown-based multi-instrumentalist and composer/producer Cliff Leatherbarrow joins us with his band (three members from Queenstown, one from Auckland) to perform jazz standards, and tracks from his recently released album “Jazz Alchemy”. All proceeds will be donated to Cyclone Gabrielle relief.

RE:FRESH is an exhibition of brand-new, hot off the press artworks from members of the Queenstown Art Society. Not only are the works spanking new but many of the artists are too.

Join Natalia Lomeiko, Yuri Zhislin and Sarah Watkins for a night of Mozart, Brahms, Moszkowska and Sarasate.

Join us for an action-packed afternoon, exploring an exciting range of activities with new friends. Taking place at Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau, Monday - Friday, 3-6pm

Come along to our Youthtown Afterschool Programme where we form a fun environment for creative learning. Wednesdays - 3D Creative Fun | Thursdays - 2D Creative Fun | 3:30pm - 5pm | $185 for full term

These Hip Hop classes will be a fun open class for students to express themselves through dance in a positive enjoyable environment! Classes for 2-14 year olds. Every Wednesday in Term 1.

Join us for an afternoon 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 13-18

Cindy Huang explores exchange, ancestry, and materiality in her solo exhibition. Her installation of hundreds of handmade porcelain lilies aims to explore the lack of recorded knowledge about the Chinese settlement locally in Tāhuna and regionally in Ōtākou and Murihiku.

A 5-week series of Feldenkrais® lessons
. Ideal for singers, musicians, artists, and artisans. Nicky will lead you through gentle movement sequences that help you discover better ways of organising your body in action. No previous experience needed.

Megan Huffadine will lead this workshop in creating experimental works exploring composition and ideas for a landscape painting by using the mixed media collage process | 10am-1pm

Join us for a kōrero and workshop with Cindy Huang to learn about her practice and her process of working with clay.

Join artist Louise Parker for a 90 minute workshop and collaborative exhibition. Participants will make three white ceramic flowers to be installed as part of the RE:FRESH exhibition | 5:30-7pm

Megan Huffadine will lead this workshop in creating experimental works with mixed media collage exploring the possibilities of abstract composition with motifs and grids. | 10am - 1pm

Come along and listen to acclaimed art writer, critic, and performance artist Megan Dunn discuss her life as a practicing artist and writer | 3pm

The 2023 Aspen New Zealand Summer Series: Geopolitical Challenges will analyse the current geopolitical challenges surrounding our region and discuss what they mean for New Zealand. Great Power Rivalry - 2 March | PUĀWAI

A gymnasium for creative thinking. Squiggla is a programme that exercises creative thinking through free-flow mark-making and is all about visual exploration and creative discovery without the pressure to 'make art' or 'copy' something. In the world of Squiggla, you will experience mark-making in action. You are invited to exercise and embrace your creative thinking with whānau (family) and friends.

Join us for a conversation and morning tea with Sue Gardiner (MNZM) and Karen Gardiner, co-directors of the Chartwell Trust and creators of Squiggla. 11am | Free

Join us for a special Squiggla workshop led by Sue Gardiner, the creator of Squiggla. Listen to local musicians and make marks to the music – exploring different compositions, time and rhythm. 6pm - 7:30pm | FREE

Join us as we explore the Arts in a fun and engaging way. Led by accredited Art teacher Michelle, each workshop enhances your child’s creativity and imagination. Ages 5-12 | Wednesday 11 January - Wednesday 1 February

Explore the possibilities of drypoint with artist Kyla Cresswell. Further your drypoint knowledge and learn how to add colour to your image as part of the print process using ink, chine collé or monoprint. We will also take a look at tetra pack printmaking. Sunday 29 January | 10am - 4pm

From Irish fishermen to war veterans to LL Cool J and Run DMC bucket hats have risen from practical purpose, fishermen seeking cover from the rain to high fashion. Satisfy your inner style by coming along to craft yourself a new summer accessory and trying your hand at slow fashion. Saturday 28 January | 11:30am - 1:30pm | WHAKAARI