Nelson Art Galleries You Can’t Miss
Nelson might be famous for its sunshine, coastal and mountain scenery, even its passion for beer-brewing and wine-making, but did you know Nelson has a creative side? Yes, from the centre of Nelson city and all the way along the Moutere Highway is a community of creatives.
What’s more, you can experience their passion and creations in their Nelson art galleries and studios open for visitors.
There are heaps of art galleries to be found in the Nelson suburbs of Richmond, Brightwater and Wakefield which will take you off the tourist trail and give you the chance to meet some locals. If you fancy getting creative yourself, why not join in on one of the workshops?
As you approach the Tasman area, why not stop by Mapua, the seaside village with a mix of art and wines? Or head along the Moutere Highway to Upper Moutere where you can see artists working in stunning rural environments.
Table of Contents
1. Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu (The Suter)
Any art trail through the Nelson Tasman region has to start with The Suter. This is the premier regional art gallery, established way back in 1899, making it one of the oldest galleries in New Zealand.
The Suter showcases the works of both national and regional artists across painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media in multiple contemporary exhibition spaces.
Beyond the exhibitions, you’ll find a popular café, the Pastorius Waller Theatre for films and events, and the Suter Store, well known for its curated selection of handcrafted ceramics, jewellery and locally made artworks, perfect if you’re after authentic Nelson art pieces. Plus, entry is free!
Find out more in 15 Things to Do in Nelson City.
Location: 208 Bridge Street, Nelson
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency2. Alchemy Arts Centre
The Alchemy Arts Centre is a creative hub showcasing contemporary New Zealand art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery. The space functions as both a gallery and working studio, giving you the chance to see rotating exhibitions from established and emerging artists.
Many works reflect the natural landscapes and coastal environment of the Nelson Tasman region, with a strong emphasis on handcrafted and locally inspired pieces.
It’s also a retail gallery, making it easy to purchase original artwork directly from artists, perfect for unique, one-off pieces rather than mass-produced souvenirs.
While we wouldn’t recommend buying pottery gifts to put in your backpack on your travels, it’s worth relaxing with a coffee in their café whilst admiring the quirky designs.
Location: 92 Bateup Road, Richmond
© Alchemy Art Gallery3. Mahoe Hills Craft Studio
Set in the peaceful countryside just outside Nelson, Mahoe Hills Craft Studio is a lovely spot to discover handcrafted works by local artists in a relaxed, homestead-style setting.
The studio showcases a rotating selection of ceramics, textiles, woodwork and mixed-media pieces, many inspired by the surrounding native bush and coastal landscapes of the region.
It’s a great place to browse artisan craftsmanship in a tranquil rural environment, offering a more personal, intimate gallery experience than you’d find in the city centre.
Location: 255 Garden Valley Road
© Mahoe Hills4. Post Impressions Gift Shop
Tucked into Nelson’s CBD, Post Impressions Gift Shop offers a gallery-style space where locally made art and handcrafted gifts take centre stage.
This isn’t your typical souvenir shop, it’s a carefully curated showcase of creativity from the Nelson Tasman region, featuring original prints, paintings, jewellery and unique design pieces.
Many pieces are unique or limited edition, so you’re likely to find something you won’t spot anywhere else.
Location: 43 Ellis Street, Brightwater
© Post Impressions Facebook5. Escape Gallery & Gifts
Escape Gallery & Gifts is a boutique-style art space that combines contemporary gallery work with a carefully curated gift shop. Browse original paintings, photography, ceramics, glasswork and handcrafted jewellery, with many pieces created by artists from the Nelson Tasman region.
The gallery showcases works inspired by coastal landscapes, native flora and the region’s relaxed creative culture.
Location: The Great Escape Complex, McShanes Road, Richmond
© Pexels6. Lavender Escape
Again, slightly going off the theme of art galleries, but if you are already in the Great Escape Complex then you can’t miss Lavender Escape! This scenic lifestyle destination combines gardens, seasonal lavender fields and a small gallery space showcasing handmade products.
Browse paintings, botanical-inspired art, lavender-based goods and artisan gifts that reflect the natural beauty of the region. Walk through the peaceful gardens and soak up the rural atmosphere, it’s especially vibrant during flowering season.
They are open Tuesday to Sunday in summer and Thursday to Sunday in winter.
Location: The Great Escape Complex, McShanes Road, Richmond
© Pexels7. Höglund Art Glass Studio
There’s nothing more hypnotising than watching glassblowing. Visit the Höglund Art Glass Studio, where internationally recognised glass artists create intricate hand-blown sculptures, bowls and decorative pieces right before your eyes.
The live demonstrations showcase incredible skill and precision as artists work with molten glass at extreme temperatures.
The gallery features a stunning range of finished works, from vibrant contemporary pieces to delicate sculptural art inspired by nature.
It’s a standout destination for collectors and art lovers, and the studio is open daily.
Location: 52 Lansdowne Road, Richmond
© Pixabay8. Bronte Art Gallery
The Bronte Art Gallery has a bit of everything so who knows what you’ll discover. This boutique rural gallery, set in the tranquil Upper Moutere countryside, features a rotating collection of contemporary New Zealand artworks including paintings, sculpture and mixed-media pieces.
Many works reflect the surrounding landscape with strong themes of light and texture from the coastal environment.
The peaceful garden setting provides a quiet, reflective atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and enjoy the artwork at your own pace, a refreshing change from the busier city galleries.
Location: 122 Bronte Road East, Coastal Highway 60
© Pexels9. Laughing Fish Studio
A creative art space showcasing contemporary New Zealand art, Laughing Fish Studio features a rotating collection of paintings, prints, ceramics and handcrafted pieces from local and regional artists.
Many works draw inspiration from the coastal environment of the Nelson Tasman region, with themes of marine life, landscapes and natural textures appearing throughout.
Operating as both a gallery and working studio, it offers a relaxed, approachable setting to view art in a more personal, less formal environment.
Location: 24 Aranui Road, Mapua
© Laughing Fish Studio (Songbird by Shona McLean)10. The Coolstore Gallery
Housed in a striking converted coolstore building, The Coolstore Gallery showcases contemporary New Zealand art in a raw, industrial setting that beautifully complements the creative works on display.
Browse through paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, prints, handcrafted jewellery and mixed-media pieces from both established and emerging artists.
The gallery’s rotating exhibitions mean each visit offers something fresh, making it a popular destination for art collectors and anyone interested in cutting-edge creative expression from across New Zealand.
They are open daily in summer and Wednesday to Sunday in winter.
Location: 10 Aranui Road, Mapua
© Coolstore Gallery11. Zappekin – Artists & Allies
Zappekin Artists & Allies is a collective-style creative studio housed in a historic fruit-shed overlooking the Motueka Estuary. This unique space showcases the work of independent Nelson-based artists across a range of mediums, from paintings and prints to ceramics and handcrafted pieces.
What makes this gallery special is its rotating selection, each visit offers something different as contributing artists regularly introduce new works. Rather than following a single gallery theme, the space celebrates personal artistic styles, giving you a genuine glimpse into the local creative community.
Half the building serves as resident artist studios, while the other half hosts a rotation of collaborative projects throughout the year, making it a dynamic hub for Nelson’s arts scene.
Location: 3 Wood Loop, Tasman.
© Neat Places - Nelson Regional Development Agency12. Kiln Studio
Kiln Studio is a working ceramics studio and gallery showcasing handcrafted, kiln-fired pottery made right here in the Nelson region.
Browse functional and decorative pieces including bowls, vases, tableware and sculptural ceramics, all crafted on-site by local ceramic artists.
The studio setting offers a glimpse into the creative process, from shaping clay to glazing and firing.
The work features earthy textures, natural tones and minimalist design influenced by New Zealand landscapes, making it ideal for those who appreciate functional art with a strong artisan focus.
Location: 123c Bridge Street, Nelson.
© Nelson Regional Development Agency13. Red Art Gallery
Housed in a charming heritage building dating back to the 1800s, Red Gallery showcases a beautifully curated collection of contemporary New Zealand art and designware in the heart of Nelson.
The gallery features rotating exhibitions from both established and emerging Kiwi artists, with works spanning painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media.
Many pieces reflect themes connected to Aotearoa’s landscapes, culture and natural environment, offering a strong sense of place, and are available for purchase.
After browsing the art, treat yourself at Red Café, renowned for serving the best scones in Nelson alongside Best Ugly Bagels and delicious local Rabbit Island Coffee (gluten-free options available).
The gallery is open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday (café closes at 3 pm), and from 8:30 am to 3 pm Saturday (café closes at 2 pm).
Location: 1 Bridge Street, Nelson.
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency14. Flamedaisy
Discover the mesmerising world of hand-blown glass and neon art at Flamedaisy, where artist Anthony Genet has been crafting stunning glass sculptures for over 35 years.
His work graces collections worldwide and features in prestigious New Zealand light festivals, including Sculpture on the Peninsular and LUX Light Festival.
Visit the gallery and studio to watch Anthony in action as he shapes, colours and manipulates molten glass into his latest creations.
Location: 324 Trafalgar Square West, Nelson.
© NZPocketGuide.com15. The Langford Store
The Langford Store is a charming rural art and lifestyle destination located in the Upper Moutere area of the wider Nelson region.
Set in a beautifully restored country store, it combines a gallery, boutique retail space and café-style experience in a relaxed countryside setting.
The gallery showcases a curated selection of New Zealand-made art, including ceramics, paintings, textiles and handcrafted homewares, with a strong emphasis on local craftsmanship and design.
Many of the pieces reflect the surrounding vineyard landscapes and rural Tasman environment, making it a fitting stop along the region’s well-known arts and wine trail.
Visitors often pair a visit here with nearby wineries, turning it into a slow-paced day of food, wine and art discovery.
Location: 1810 Collingwood-Bainham Main Road, Bainham.
© Neat Places - Nelson Regional Development AgencyMore About Nelson
That’s it for our guide to Nelson art galleries; for more information about exploring the region, check out the following articles:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Nelson.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
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