So, you’ve just moved into your new home. The furniture is arranged precisely where you want it, and the final box has been unpacked. Yet, things are still looking a little blah. Take a look at your walls. Whether you have just moved into a Victorian villa or a modern townhouse, adding art to your space can make a world of difference.
There are lots of benefits to adding art to your home. It can make a room look finished and help tie together the colours and textures used in your soft furnishings. It’s also a great way to show off your personality, encourage introspection and spark engagement.
Discover more ways to bring interest to your home:
The best part of starting an art collection is that you can set your own rules, regardless of your budget. Whether you're investing in pieces from well-known artists, want to support local galleries or prefer to buy affordable prints, the joy of building an art collection lies in the curation of art that resonates with you.
Here are the best places to buy art from established and emerging artists in Wellington:
Academy Galleries is the art gallery associated with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. Located in the heart of Wellington on the waterfront, it showcases a diverse range of contemporary artworks by emerging and established artists. When you are done perusing the gallery, the shop is the perfect place to find art in all shapes and forms to add to your home. Here you’ll find everything from paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media creations to ceramics and jewellery, all designed by artists who push the boundaries of traditional art.
Academy Galleries — 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Daily 10am - 5pm
04 499 8807
Bartley & Company Art is renowned for its dedication to promoting contemporary New Zealand art. It is located in a stylish gallery space and offers a curated selection of paintings, photography, and installations hidden away on Garret Street across from the Rogue and Vagabond and Glover Park. The gallery fosters a close relationship with artists and collectors. Regular visits to the gallery are a great way to familiarise yourself with contemporary art and artists. Visit their gallery in town or enquire about their available art via their website Stockroom.
Bartley & Company Art — Level 2/22 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Wednesday - Friday 11am - 5.30pm Saturday 11am - 4pm Or by appointment
+64 4 802 4622
Page Galleries is a contemporary art dealership on Victoria Street that represents some of the most well-known artists in New Zealand, including Rita Angus, Hiria Anderson and Dick Frizzell.
As well as exhibitions of represented artists, the gallery also promotes emerging and mid-career artists and other special projects in their exhibition spaces. If you like modern and contemporary art movements, their galleries are a great place to develop an interest in both well-known and new artists in this space. You’ll find an array of paintings, sculptures, and limited-edition prints to curb your appetite.
Page Galleries — 42 Victoria Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturdays 10am - 4pm
+6444712636
Mitchell Studios is situated in the Northern suburb of Khandallah and has been running strong since its inception in 2018. They are dedicated to supporting and showcasing the talents of local artists, artisans, creators, and makers and have a constantly rotating display of original artworks, including paintings, etchings, drawings, and mixed media works. The gallery also offers a selection of limited and open-edition fine art prints, making it easy to discover and support local artists. They also host regular solo and group exhibitions at their space.
Mitchell Studios — 15 Ganges Road, Khandallah, Wellington 6035, New Zealand
Tuesday to Friday 10am – 3.30pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm
027 341 8085
Suite Gallery is a contemporary art space with a captivating blend of painting, sculpture, and digital art. Located centrally on upper Cuba Street, the gallery hosts a small but carefully selected number of artworks, aimed at art enthusiasts and investors at the higher end of the market. They have an online category of works for sale, available to browse by registration.
Suite Gallery — 189 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
10am - 5pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 4pm Saturday
+64 9 218 4399
Kura Gallery specialises in indigenous art, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Māori and New Zealand artists. The gallery features a curated collection of traditional and contemporary artworks, including carvings, jewellery, furniture, wearable art and woven pieces, ceramics, mixed-media creations, print and photography. Kura Gallery offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural narratives expressed through indigenous art forms. If you are looking for distinctively New Zealand art, there’s no better place to find it than at Kura Gallery.
Kura Gallery — 19 Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Monday to Friday 10-6pm, Saturday - Sunday 11-4pm
+64 4 802 4934
Bowen Galleries is a well-known dealership and destination for contemporary art in Wellington. With a strong emphasis on local talent, the gallery showcases a wide range of art, from abstract paintings to sculpture and photography. For those new to the art world, Bowen Galleries can feel like a supportive and welcoming place to start interacting and engaging with local and emerging artists. Their ever-changing exhibitions include contemporary and modern art at a wider range of price points for those looking for an affordable entry into to their art collection.
Bowen Galleries — 39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Monday – Friday 11–5, Saturday 11–4, Sunday 11–3
+6443810351
Artel Gallery, located in Otaki just north of Wellington on the Kapiti Coast, showcases an impressive collection of local and national artworks. The gallery prides itself on supporting regional artists and promoting their unique talents. Visitors can explore various mediums, including paintings, ceramics, glasswork, and textiles. Their website features most of their artwork and although they don’t do online orders, the gallery staff are able to hold items for you via email.
Artel Gallery in Otaki — 180 Main Highway, Ōtaki 5512, New Zealand
+6462102517
Thistle Hall, situated on vibrant Cuba Street in Wellington, is a community hub known for its weekly exhibitions. Each week, the gallery hosts community-based exhibitions celebrating local art diverse artistic expressions. From emerging artists to community groups and collaborative projects, Thistle Hall offers a platform for anyone to showcase their creativity. Each exhibition runs for one week, and the hall is open to the public and available to hire for anyone. The exhibitions cover various artistic styles and mediums, ensuring a constant stream of fresh and exciting artworks for visitors to explore. Thistle Hall is a great place to discover local artists and pick up affordable and unique artwork for your home.
Community Exhibitions at Thistle Hall on Cuba Street — 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Monday 10am - 4pm, Wednesday 10am - 4pm, Friday 12pm - 6pm
+6443843088
Welly Collective, located on Courtenay Place in the heart of Wellington, is a creative space that houses a collective of local artists and artisans. This collective is laid out like a craft market. Welly Collective prides itself on promoting local talent and supporting the creative community of Wellington. Browse their range of artworks, engage with artists, and find unique pieces, including homeware, art, jewellery, candles and clothing.
Welly Collective on Courtenay — 100 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Sunday - Thursday 10:30am - 6:30pm, Friday - Saturday 10:30am- 10:30pm
+64276534080
Prefer browsing art from the comfort of your home? Art Lovers Republic is an online platform dedicated to celebrating and supporting local artists in New Zealand. This vibrant virtual community brings artists, collectors, and enthusiasts together. Art Lovers Republic provides a curated space where artists can showcase their work, and art lovers can explore and purchase unique pieces. The sense of community is valued, so the store’s art collections grow and develop with customers’ input and ideas. The platform features diverse artistic styles and media, from fine art paintings to abstract digital pieces and high-quality photography. While they can deliver art to your door, they also have the option of downloading a digital piece of art that you can print and frame yourself.
Whether you're seeking traditional or contemporary works, indigenous art, or experimental pieces, Wellington's art scene provides many opportunities for discovery and appreciation. Browse through these galleries and explore Wellington’s local artistic community.
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