Art by the River

02/06/2026

The door has opened on another mystery!

Congratulations to L. Brennan, winner of our Art Behind the Door Competition 17 and a $100 Art by the River Gallery Voucher.

The hidden artwork was The Soft Hours by Luke Hollis.

Luke will be exhibiting at Art by the River in a solo exhibition in Winter 2026, so keep an eye out for more of his beautiful work very soon.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

The good news? Competition 18 is now live, so the challenge begins again. Visit the gallery or enter online, and see if you can be the next winner.

29/05/2026

Final days.

Dragonflies spend most of their lives unseen beneath the water, emerging for a comparatively brief time before disappearing again.

Tomorrow, The Dragonfly Dialogues by Chrys Hill reaches the end of its own short season at Art by the River.

If you've been meaning to visit, or to take a second look, this is your last opportunity to experience the exhibition before it closes.

Open Saturday - 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-3pm
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/

28/05/2026

New work by Sheila Brown — 'Taking Flight, Kingfisher'

There’s such a strong sense of movement in this new work by Sheila Brown.

The flash of blue, the sweep of the wings and the layered light-filled background give the painting real energy, while still keeping that beautiful softness Sheila’s works are known for.

A striking new piece now in the gallery at Art by the River.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/artists/sheila-brown/

27/05/2026

Thorndon Houses
by Raymond Jennings

Layered rooftops, hidden corners and Wellington light.

This new work has all the character and warmth that make Raymond Jennings’ paintings so engaging — full of detail, colour and little moments to discover.

Now in the gallery.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/artists/raymond-jennings/

26/05/2026

Final days to experience The Dragonfly Dialogues by Chrys Hill at Art by the River.

Chrys’ layered surfaces, shifting light and recurring dragonfly forms create works that feel both atmospheric and deeply considered — somewhere between landscape, memory and conversation. The exhibition has resonated strongly with visitors over recent weeks, particularly the large-scale works featured here.

The exhibition closes this Sunday, 31 May.

View the exhibition online or visit the gallery before it ends.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/exhibitions/the-dragonfly-dialogues/

22/05/2026

Along the Banks (Diptych) by Rosemary Eagles.

There’s a beautiful sense of movement across this work — trees, water and shifting light flowing from one canvas to the next.

The deep blues and earthy tones give it real depth, while the loose brushwork keeps everything feeling alive and immediate.

Now in the gallery.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/artists/rosemary-eagles/

22/05/2026

River artwork by Pauline Allomes

Pauline Allomes is best known for her beautifully observed native trees and bush landscapes — but from time to time she creates river works especially for Art by the River.

This latest piece captures the Mangawhero River near Ohakune, with flowing water, moss-covered rocks and that unmistakable sense of stillness and freshness you only find beside a New Zealand river.

It’s already been much admired in the gallery.

Now available at Art by the River.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/artists/pauline-allomes/

21/05/2026

New work by Julie Whyman - Wing Whispers

There’s a beautiful sense of movement and light in this new piece by Julie Whyman.

Fantails in flight sweep across layered landscape and geometric forms, with Julie’s rich blues, greens and golds giving the work a warmth that draws you in.

One of those paintings that changes depending on the light — and the amount of time you spend with it.

Now in the gallery at Art by the River.
https://www.artbytheriver.co.nz/artists/julie-whyman/

19/05/2026

Now showing — The Dragonfly Dialogues
by Chrys Hill

Some works seem to carry their own sense of movement — and The Sky Opens 3 is one of them.

The dragonflies drift across layered colour and texture, with a feeling of rhythm and change running through the work.

Part of Chrys Hill’s exhibition The Dragonfly Dialogues, now showing at Art by the River.

A vibrant and thoughtful exhibition well worth seeing in person.

15/05/2026

Every dog owner knows this pose...

We’re very pleased to welcome sculptor Donald Buglass as a new artist at Art by the River — and this wonderful work, simply titled "dog", has already had plenty of attention in the gallery.

Head down. Completely committed. Absolutely no intention of listening to anyone.

There’s a real wit to Donald’s work, balanced with beautifully observed form and texture. The piece manages to be humorous, familiar and quietly elegant all at once.

Donald has worked internationally across multiple disciplines for many years, now focusing largely on sculpture and mixed media works.

Now in the gallery.

Taranaki Andesite