The Central Art Gallery

The Central Art Gallery The Central offers a beautiful and welcoming space to purchase and browse contemporary NZ art. The Central connects artists and the community.

Located in the old Library in the Arts Centre, The Central offers a beautiful and welcoming space that brings people and art together. Our philosophy is to create an uplifting gallery experience, demystifying the journey, and elevating the art. We show established contemporary New Zealand artists with a desirable body of work, whilst always keeping our experienced eye on aspiring artists of the fu

ture. We value enjoyment through learning and will educate, challenge and seek to bring art into everyday conversations. In its renowned venue, The Central hosts exhibition openings, private events, and arts groups. We welcome everyone to view our everchanging artist exhibitions as well the extensive stock room. Stay a while, perhaps taking a seat in our reading area, relax and enjoy the experience of great art.

Our current exhibition, Two-Way Street, honours the relationship between mentor and mentee; between the late and accompl...
28/05/2026

Our current exhibition, Two-Way Street, honours the relationship between mentor and mentee; between the late and accomplished painter, Philip Trusttum, and his two mentees, Morks (aka Sean Simpson) and Luca McDonnell. Where Philip gave through his experience as a full-time artist for over six decades, both Morks and Luca gave back through their willingness to learn, their respect, energy and enthusiasm. Both were working with Philip right up until he passed in March 2026. The exhibition is, in true Trusttum-style, a celebration of life and is full to the brim with vim and vigour!

Images are of the ‘Two-Way Street’ exhibition installation, featuring paintings by Philip Trusttum and Morks, and sculptures by Luca McDonnell. Thank you to Maxine Brannigan for the photos captured on our opening night.

‘Two-Way Street’ is open until Saturday 20th June.

The Central is open Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm.

For all enquiries please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

Heading to the Crusaders vs Blues tomorrow night? Pop in to The Central on your way!Philip Trusttum's 'LINEOUT TIME, Blu...
07/05/2026

Heading to the Crusaders vs Blues tomorrow night? Pop in to The Central on your way!

Philip Trusttum's 'LINEOUT TIME, Blues - Canterbury,' 2010 is on display at The Central now in our 'Two-Way Street' exhibition.

Who are you rooting for?
❤️ 💙

We are open Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm.

Featured artwork:
Philip Trusttum
'LINEOUT TIME, Blues - Canterbury,' 2010

For all enquiries please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

# #

Two-Way Street opening this Thursday!Philip Trusttum, Morks, and Luca McDonnell exhibiting together for the first time; ...
05/05/2026

Two-Way Street opening this Thursday!

Philip Trusttum, Morks, and Luca McDonnell exhibiting together for the first time; celebrating the relationship between mentor and mentee.

Exhibition opening Thursday 7th May at 5:30pm. All welcome!

For all enquiries please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

Our last weekend of the ‘Castle Hill’ exhibition featuring Simon Edwards is upon us!Thank you to all who have visited th...
30/04/2026

Our last weekend of the ‘Castle Hill’ exhibition featuring Simon Edwards is upon us!

Thank you to all who have visited the exhibition and engaged with the works on display. It has been wonderful to see so much support for Simon and his landscapes of Castle Hill Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area. We are looking forward to ‘Two-Way Street’ opening this coming Thursday 7th May, 5:30pm.

We are open Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm.
We will be closed 4th-6th May for install, reopening on Thursday 7th 5:30-7:30pm.

Featured artwork:
1. ‘Castle Rock I,’ 2026 (detail)
2. ‘Castle Rock I,’ 2026
3. ‘Ivory Tower,’ 2026 (detail)
4. ‘Ivory Tower,’ 2026

For all enquiries please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

‘Small Woven Bowl #8’ by Layla Walter imitates a woven pattern in a shimmery bronze cast glass vessel.The intricate wov...
25/04/2026

‘Small Woven Bowl #8’ by Layla Walter imitates a woven pattern in a shimmery bronze cast glass vessel.

The intricate woven texture is a testament to Layla’s talent and skill, its complexity is contrasted by the smooth, refined surface at the base and interior of the bowl. Layla demonstrates a harmonious balance between control and fluidity. ’Small Woven Bowl #8’ is currently on display at The Central Art Gallery, catching the warm sunlight from our bay window.

The gallery is closed today, Anzac Day, and resuming our usual hours next week, Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm. Enjoy the long weekend!

Layla Walter
‘Small Woven Bowl #8,’ 2015
Cast gaffer glass (bronze)
90 x 255mm diameter

For all enquiries, please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

Simon Edwards’ landscapes elicit a sense of quiet wonder, echoing the meditative ambience of Castle Hill Kura Tāwhiti Co...
24/04/2026

Simon Edwards’ landscapes elicit a sense of quiet wonder, echoing the meditative ambience of Castle Hill Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area.

Simon elevates the mood and atmosphere of each work beyond the physical and the tangible, into the realm of memory, emotion, and experience. Simon’s distinct painting style captures the moody atmosphere of Castle Hill, blending the otherworldly and fantastical qualities of its limestone rock formations. There is only one week left to view ‘Castle Hill’ and experience Simon’s incredible paintings, before the gallery will be closed to install the next exhibition.

‘Simon Edwards | Castle Hill’ is open until 2nd May.

The gallery will be closed on Anzac Day, resuming our usual hours next week, Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm.

Featured artwork:�1. ‘Black Rock Outcrop’ 2026 (detail)
2. ‘Black Rock Outcrop,’ 2026
3. ‘Melt Water,’ 2026, (detail)
4. ‘Melt Water,’ 2026

For all enquiries, please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

We are already half-way through Simon Edwards’ ‘Castle Hill’ exhibition! Simon’s depictions of the Castle Hill landscape...
17/04/2026

We are already half-way through Simon Edwards’ ‘Castle Hill’ exhibition! Simon’s depictions of the Castle Hill landscape continue to amaze, particularly his iconic soft hazy clouds and careful application of colour.

The towering limestone rock formation in ‘Castle Rock II’ is immediately recognisable as the Castle Hill Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area. With what could be Mount Enys in the background, this is definitely a familiar sight for locals! ‘Cave Stream Assemblage’ embodies the same sense of place and misty atmosphere with gentle greens and purples blended into the river and clouds.

‘Simon Edwards | Castle Hill’ is open until 2nd May.

Featured artwork:
1. ‘Broken River,’ 2026, SOLD
2. ‘Broken River’ (detail), 2026, SOLD
3. ‘River Terrace,’ 2026, SOLD
4. ‘Cave Stream Assemblage,’ 2026
5. ‘Castle Rock II,’ 2026

For all enquiries, please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

Delicious green bubblegum ice cream mixed with nostalgic wine gums... all made with painted corrugated iron and a steel ...
16/04/2026

Delicious green bubblegum ice cream mixed with nostalgic wine gums... all made with painted corrugated iron and a steel rod.

‘Goody Goody Gum Drops’ is Hannah Kidd’s latest iconic kiwi ice cream, in a classic, yet polarising flavour. Two scoops balance precariously in an iron stand.

’Goody Goody Gum Drops,’ 2026
Painted corrugated iron and a steel rod
280 x 155 x 185mm
$1,850 incl.GST

For all enquiries, please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

02/04/2026

Simon Edwards’ latest oeuvre pays homage to the Castle Hill Kura Tāwhiti alpine basin, situated between the Torlesse and Craigieburn ranges; known playground for Simon and many fellow Cantabrians.

In an exhibition wowing its audience, Simon continues deftly exploring his painting style as he probes the balance of en plein air and studio painting. Elevating the mood and atmosphere of each work, Simon takes viewers on a journey into the realms of his experience of the landscape—beyond any literal depiction—confidently combining his iconic misty clouds, textured rock surfaces and expressive colour palettes within each work.

‘Simon Edwards | Castle Hill’ is open until 2nd May.

This week our opening hours are altered due to the Easter holiday:
Good Friday - CLOSED
Saturday 4th April - 11am-3pm

We will be closed our usual days, Sunday/Monday, and open next week Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm.

Featured artwork:
’Sleeping Beauty,’ 2026
Oil on aluminium panel
1150 x 1450mm
$21,000 incl.GST

For all enquiries, please email [email protected] or message us on social media.

Address

The Library Building, The Arts Centre, 2 Worcester Boulevard
Christchurch
8011

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+6433663318

Website

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