Queenstown’s council and the Three Lakes Cultural Trust are pairing local creativity with unexpected spaces and places across the district, in the ‘Creative Spaces Project’, which invites people to explore an exhibition that goes beyond gallery walls.
More than 19 local artists will showcase works ranging from light installations and paintings to performances and historic photos in locations where people least expect it, such as community spaces, lobbies and lakeside locations.
Venues include the Queenstown’s Mountain Club (Emma Peers, Studio Peers), Steamer Wharf (Sampford Cathie), Sugar Lane’s Queenstown Marina (Lee Frampton), Arrowtown’s Lakes District Museum (Trace Element, Simon Holden), and O’Connell’s EatSpace.
Cultural trust chief operating officer Samantha Kirk says the initiative stems from connecting local artists with local spaces — offering a glimpse of what’s possible "when creativity becomes part of the everyday fabric of our place".
"It’s a taster of the incredible talent that exists here, and an invitation for more spaces to open their doors to creative expression year-round."
The initiative stems from the Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata, The Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy, a district-wide community strategy endorsed by council last year.
Council’s arts and events relationship manager Jan Maxwell calls for the district to make creativity "visible and accessible" in everyday environments.
"The Creative Spaces Project is a wonderful example of this, showing how local collaboration can transform our shared spaces and create moments of connection."
To see the full lineup of participating artists and venues, visit shorturl.at/pv0eW
