Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre

05/06/2026

Happy 5th birthday to us! We had a fabulous opening event for our June artist exhibition to celebrate five years since our new Heritage Centre opened. Make sure you come in to have a look we're open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4pm and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm.

Check out our other posts to sign up for a workshop. We are very lucky to have such amazing support from our community - a very big thank you to you all, as we couldn't run our volunteer-led museum and gallery without your help. :)

02/06/2026

Sign up for an oil painting workshop with local artist Sue Lean on Friday 26 June.

For only $25 (to cover some of the materials), join this one-day workshop (11am - 3pm) where you will be guided through the process of painting in oils. It's perfect for helping you decide if oil painting is for you, whether you are a beginner or already painting in acrylics, water colours or pastels.

Paints, a small canvas and other materials for mixing and experimenting on will be provided. All you need to bring is an apron or old shirt, an easel or table easel if you have one, lunch, and enthusiasm.

Sue will cover the fundamentals of painting in oils, such as grounds, types of brushes, colour mixing, tonal value and techniques. Instruction will be largely in reference to representational painting (still-life, landscape, portrait) but will apply to any style of painting. You will be encouraged to experiment, and to explore various ways of applying paint. You will then have a chance to put it all into practice by producing a small study on canvas to take home with you.

Register for the workshop either in person at our museum or sending a text to Sue 022 014 5596.

Spaces are limited so get in quick! A second workshop may be arranged for Saturday 27 June if there's demand.

28/05/2026

As part of our June celebrations for five years since our Heritage Centre opened, some of our local artists are offering a series of workshops. Perfect for keeping you busy over winter!

🎨June 7th @ 2-3pm - Jenny Longstaff is presenting "Why old stuff matters: the place of heritage in communities (just turn up at the Heritage Centre)

🎨June 12th & 14th @ 11am - Ngahuia Crossman's workshop on "The art of showing up" (register at www.inspiringdesign.co.nz)

🎨June 20th @ 2-3pm - Zenobia Southcombe presentation (just turn up at the Heritage Centre)

🎨June 26th & 27th @ 11-3pm - Sue Lean "Introduction to Painting in oil" workshop (register by emailing [email protected] or fill out the form at the Heritage Centre)

We look forward to seeing you and your friends at one of more of these fabulous workshops.

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21/05/2026

We have another fabulous artist to feature in the lead-up to our June exhibition to celebrate five years since we opened the new Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre.

Zenobia Southcombe's work is inspired by her love of the outdoors. "When not painting, you will often find me enjoying the company of birds and butterflies in the garden."

We've been lucky to display some of her beautiful art in our gallery.

18/05/2026

We'd like to share another artist who will feature in our June exhibition to celebrate five years since our new Heritage Centre opened.

Sue Lean was born and bred in Waikouaiti and began painting the sights around her at a very young age. "After being away for so long, I find myself back and focusing again on the local scenery, perhaps in celebration of being back home."

We're excited the exhibition isn't too far away now, and will let you know soon about some exciting presentations and workshops we also have planned. Watch this space!

13/05/2026

To celebrate five years of our Heritage Centre being open. we are holding a major art exhibition this June.

One of our artists is Christopher Willmott, a visual artist living in Waikouaiti after moving to New Zealand 13 years ago.

"I am excited to be a part of this exhibition as the Heritage Centre is a real asset for Waikouaiti for proudly showing the town's heritage, and for showcasing local artists and crafts people to show their talents in different areas."

Make sure you come and check out Christopher's art as well as other local artists from 4-28 June (and of course, you are welcome to visit us before then as well!). We're open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4pm, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 4pm.

10/05/2026

It's almost our 5th birthday for the new Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre building being open and we're celebrating it by holding an art exhibition. One of our artists is Terry Low, who took up art later in life. He says, " I was lucky to be coached by some established artists including Ray Ellis in America, who has valuable paintings in the White House". Mark your calendars to come and see us in June, so you can see Terry's art as well as the other fabulous artists we'll have on display.

05/05/2026

Check out our awesome caps! They're on sale now in our gift shop, so head in and get one as a present (although they're so cool you might want one for yourself as well). We love these and are sure you will too.

24/04/2026

Wishing you all a peaceful Anzac Day tomorrow.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Make sure you come and visit us to see our new display on military history.

16/04/2026

With Anzac Day around the corner, we invite you to come into our gallery to check out our new military exhibition. The exhibition items will be on display during April and May.

We'd like to say a big thanks to the Waikouaiti RSA for their assistance with the display.

We're open Wednesday & Thursday 1pm - 4pm, and
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm