f-stop is our exhibition for Auckland Festival of Photography, exhibiting local artists and Kaipara College’s year 11 and 12 photography students. Kaipara’s music students performed at the opening event. Included in the show is a ‘reverse sgraffito film strip’ created by our teen afterschool class which added a contemporary element to the photography theme. This show is up until Saturday 4th of July, come check out the wonderful display from our talented Helensville youth. Included in the show is local photographers Meghan Williams, Helene Blomfield and Denise Corden.
Next up is our Matariki exhibition, 8th – 25th July, opening night will be on Thursday before Matariki holiday 5-7pm we warmly invite you to come along. Maria our weaving tutor will offer some basic weaving on the night, prior to the opening is a glow in the dark display in our basement gallery of Craftafternoon Kids along with Matariki Book reading by Anne Coppel from the Library starting at 4pm with the Library’s annual Teddy Sleepover.
Free school holiday art workshops! Bring the kids to free art workshops these school holidays, we offer a variety of media and kids get to take a completed artwork home each session. Please note the workshops are not enrolment based therefore kids must be supervised by an adult. Wednesday 8th July 1-3pm, and Tuesday and Thursday 14th and 16th July 1-3pm. Workshops include ‘Portrait Pillow’ making, ‘Stick Friends’ and ‘Scribble, Scratch and Sketch’.
Term 3 Classes enrol now!
Afterschool art classes for kids age 6-11 Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 3:30-5pm, Teen art classes for ages 12-17 Wednesday’s 3:30-5pm, $120 for 8-week course starting 28th July ending 17th September. Enrolment cut off is 17th July please visit our website for an enrolment form or email manager@artcentrehelensville.org.nz.
Mike Rowland ‘Painting and Drawing’ 6-week course, at the discounted rate of $150 Friday’s 11-1 starting back 24th July.
Raranga Flax Weaving with Maria Kaka, 8-week course Thursday’s 11-1 starting 30th July $80.
Free Groups. Every Wednesday 11-1 ‘Gas Bag’ free art and craft group, bring your own craft, complimentary tea, coffee, cookies and great social banter.
‘Street Maori’ Te Reo language group Tuesday fortnight’s 6-7:30pm starting back 28th July.
Things to look forward to!
A major mural which has been 3 years in the planning is now going up on the side of the council building. The mural design is by local artist Mei Hill, Ngâti Whâtua Tûturu. Mei has gifted the mural design with the narrative to be shared on completion. We will hold an unveiling ceremony at the beginning of July where Mei will share the meaning behind the work, please keep an eye out on our facebook page for details.
Arts in the Ville 24th – 26th October Labour Weekend 2026. We are now underway with planning this year’s major annual art trail event! If you are an artist interested in participating this year, please keep up to date with important information on the Arts in the Ville website page. We look forward to another wonderful year of celebrating local talent!
