Nelson Festivals Trust

“First and foremost, as a gallery we see ourselves as kaitiaki, that is guardians and trustees of the artworks in our care,” explains curator and collection’s manager Sarah McClintock.

Throughout The Suter’s over 120 years a collection of over 1500 works has been amassed. During the Covid lockdown most of these were put online so that they are now easily accessible to everyone, any time.

Children are very much encouraged to visit the gallery with thousands coming each year. In addition, popular children’s after-school art classes are run during term time.

Increasingly there is the inclusion of exhibitions that celebrate crafts such as ceramics and jewellery. “Nelson is a place that has always valued craft highly so we try to achieve a balance that will appeal to many different people.” Sarah says.

The shop has become a mecca for locals and tourists alike, a place to purchase a range of work by local and New Zealand wide artisans including jewellery, fashion accessories, pottery, fibre, and wood crafts, through to books and paintings. With an ever-changing selection it offers very affordable, high-quality pieces that make excellent gifts.

Art is a big part of the fabric of our society, and we involve the community in events as much as possible,” she says. “We want to show that art is not just something you put on the wall as a decorative piece but that it is part of human experience that helps us think about ourselves and our communities.”