Artist Collectives Bring Bold, Collaborative Energy To The 2025 NZ Art Show

Five vibrant artist collectives will take centre stage at the 2025 NZ Art Show, running from May 30 to June 1 at TSB Arena and Shed 6, Wellington.

Following the popularity of artist groups at last year’s show, five exciting collectives will bring a fresh wave of creativity—showcasing a range of art from cutting-edge realism and glasswork to mixed media, youth-led art, and contemporary Māori art.

This year’s featured collectives include:

DYED Collective, Wellington
Founded in 2024 by five Wellington-based artists, DYED Collective combines working studios with a gallery space dedicated to Realist Art. The group’s exhibiting artists, including Ben Dellabarca and Clark Roworth, are known for their striking technical precision and emotionally charged storytelling.

NZ Glassworks, Whanganui
As New Zealand’s leading public access glass studio and gallery, NZ Glassworks showcases works by some of the country’s most collected and respected glass artists. Their presence at the show offers a rare chance to see intricate glass artistry up close.

Space Studio & Gallery, Whanganui
A lively mixed-media hub established in 2012, Space Studio & Gallery presents a curated selection of contemporary works across diverse disciplines. The collective is known for championing both emerging and established artists in an inclusive creative space.

Art Start (National)
Celebrating the next generation of talent, Art Start represents artists aged 15–18 from across the country. Their debut at the 2024 NZ Art Show was met with overwhelming support, and they return this year with a fresh lineup of boundary-pushing works in mixed media.

New Zealand and Māori Art.Com, curated by Darcy Nicholas QSO (Wellington)
Renowned artist and cultural advocate Darcy Nicholas brings together artists working across multiple media. Nicholas, a key figure with Toi Māori Aotearoa, showcased Māori art at the 2024 show and returns in 2025 with a new selection of powerful works exploring whakapapa, identity, and form.

Executive Director Carla Russell says these collectives offer visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the collaborative spirit behind some of New Zealand’s most compelling art.
“There’s a different kind of energy that comes from collectives—it’s passionate, innovative, and deeply community-focused. We’re excited to spotlight that energy this year.”

The 2025 NZ Art Show will feature more than 250 artists exhibiting around 4,000 contemporary works, spanning painting, photography, ceramics, glass, metalwork, sculpture, digital prints and more.

As New Zealand’s first, largest, and most successful art show, the NZ Art Show remains committed to accessibility and affordability, with most artworks priced below $5,000. It’s a space where art is for everyone—whether you're an avid collector or a first-time buyer.

Experience the 2025 NZ Art Show

WHERE: TSB Arena and Shed 6 | Queen’s Wharf | Wellington |New Zealand
WHEN: King’s Birthday Weekend, 2025
VIP Preview: Thursday 29 May, 9 – 11am
Gala Evening: Thursday 29 May, 6 – 9.30pm

Show Days:

Friday – Saturday, 30 – 31 May, 10am – 6.30pm Daily
Sunday 1 June 2024, 10am – 5pm
TICKETS: Door sales are available: $15 Adult, $10 Student and Community Service card, children 12 years and under are free
Discounted pre-sales available via www.artshow.co.nz
More information can be found online - www.artshow.co.nz

About the NZ Art Show:

Statistics since 2004

• 20 million in art sales
• $200,000 presented in art awards
• 30,000 artworks sold
• 4,000 artists represented
• 150,000 visitors
• 2023 winner of Vibrant Gold in the Wellington Gold Awards

The NZ Art Show is Aotearoa's premier annual art event, dedicated to showcasing the incredible talent of New Zealand’s contemporary artists. Pioneers of the NZ art market scene, established in 2004, the event has grown into a vital platform for both emerging and established artists to present and sell their work. With over 250 artists and more than 4,000 artworks on display each year, the NZ Art Show is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s vibrant art community.

As Wellington's original art showcase, we take pride in fostering innovation and creativity, providing artists from across the country with the exposure they deserve. The event also serves as a unique opportunity for art lovers, collectors, and businesses to engage with artists, discover new talent, and purchase original New Zealand art.

The NZ Art Show is governed by a charitable trust, with all profits being reinvested into the arts community. Our mission is to promote the appreciation and acquisition of New Zealand art while supporting the artists themselves.

Our Board: Anne Stephenson (Chair), Frances Russell, Jane Hart, David Foot, Neil Paviour-Smith

Our Team: Carla Russell (Executive Director), Midge Murray, Claire Cairns

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