The Otago Art Society

Demo days at the galleries
2026-08-10 - 2026-08-16 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE – Please view the schedule below
Open to Public

Demo Days 2026
Mon 10th
Tues 11th
Wed 12th
Thurs 13th
Frid 14th
Sat 15th
Sun 16th
Medium

Rose Shepard
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Oils – –

Brenda Nyhof
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Clays

Lorna Allan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Acrylic

WenLi Ma
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Watercolour

Dayle Matthews
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Jenny Longstaff
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Acrylic

Sharon Leitch

Yes,

oils

Rod Eales

Yes

Oils

Janet Pribble
Yes
Yes
Yes

Water colour

Doug Hart
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Watercolour &

Digital photography

Scott Drummond
Yes
Yes

Yes

Water soluable oils

Brian Stewart
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Oils, projector organised

Elaine Knight

Yes
Yes
Acrylics

Elaine Grant Dolby
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Acrlyics

Penelope Smith

Yes
Yes

Book binding, PVA, Acrylics

Kaori Jackson
Yes
Yes
Yes

Oils, linseed oil,

Chroma brush cleaner

Janet Wood/Hulland
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Acrylic

Sarah Frieburger

Yes
Yes
Yes
Acrylic

Jayne Schwenke
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Oils

David Corbbalis
Yes
Yes

Water Colour

Raimo Kuparinen

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Daily numbers
15
15
13
13
13
16
13

Demo days - Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-10 12:15 - 12:45 (Pacific/Auckland) | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE
Open to the Public
Doug Hart
I’ve drawn and painted all my life and was involved in art education in the UK for 40 years. Since coming to New Zealand 12 years ago I have been overwhelmed with the variety of subjects that surround us. Heritage buildings, wildlife, pubs etc have all been subjects of my watercolours.

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-11 12:15 - 12:45 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Free
Open to the Public
Brenda Nyhof
Ideas and accidents
A talk about the role chance has played in the evolution of my artwork and ideas. From mistakes to happy accidents and truly horrible first attempts to the pieces that turned out right.

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-12 12:15 - 12:45 | otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
FREE
Open to the Public
Brian Stewart
My talk will cover “Brian’s meandering artistic journey, from the beginnings to where he is today”.

ART Classes - Drawing and Painting - evening class
2026-08-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Open to all
Bring your own materials

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-13 12:15 - 12:45 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE
Open to the public

Wen Li Ma is going to make demos of lively lovely birds. That means she will show how to capture the essence of birds’ demeanor on top of bird’s appearance.

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-14 12:15 - 12:45 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE
Open to the public
Sarah Freiburger – Sarah will share insights into her creative process, from the first spark of an idea to the finished artwork. She’ll also discuss how her approach differs when working on a large scale compared with smaller pieces.

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-15 12:15 - 12:45 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE
Open to the public
Dr Sharon Leitch – Dr Sharon Leitch is a general practitioner and a painter. In her talk, “The Art of Medicine” she will discuss recent research on the vital importance of creativity for human wellbeing.

Demo days – Lunchtime Artist talks
2026-08-16 12:15 - 12:45 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Free
Open to the Public
Rose Shepard – Art teacher and Otago Art Society President
How I got hooked on the NZ Wearable Art Awards (now known as WOW)
The first two shows were held in Spring Grove, Wakefield where we moved to 1987. From there the show founder and director Suzie Moncrieff, took the giant leap from putting on a show for 30 to 40 people to hiring the Trafalgar Centre where the audience could go up to 2,300. I went along to the first Wearable Arts in the centre in 1990 and was completely hooked. From that first taste of being in the audience I decided I would love to enter. Which I did in 1991. From that moment on I was involved with not only entering but helping to run this event creating the set in 1993. In my talk on Sunday I will give an overview of what the early days were like, and how this show evolved in Nelson up to 2004.

Workshops @ OAS
2026-08-17 08:00 - 2026-08-29 17:00 | otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
See individual listings for each workshop

OAS Winter Workshops - Brenda Nyhof - Mixed Media Sculptor
2026-08-17 10:00 - 2026-08-18 16:30 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Open to the public – Introduction to air-dry clay
Fees apply: Contact Brenda Nyhof to register: Email abnyhof@xtra.co.nz Phone 0274890360
Brenda Nyhof
Brenda is a Dunedin artist known for creating fantasy masks, figurines and wall- hung sculptures from air-dry and polymer clays with recycled jewellery and possum fur. She has worked with many mediums during her life, moving from drawing and painting to papier mâché, and a mixed media approach. Her work reflects a love of nature and stories, mythology and fantasy.
Brenda has held solo exhibitions in Dunedin in the 1990’ s and 2000’ s (Moray Gallery, Gray’s Gallery, Arthouse), currently exhibiting mainly more in group exhibitions. (Otago Art Society, Art Shows Across Aotearoa). She has been teaching art for many years both privately and in a voluntary role at a primary school, drawing, painting, papier mâché, and mixed media works.
Workshop 1: Introduction to air-dry clay – Cost $150
17th & 18th August (limited to 5 people)

Participants will gain skill in the different techniques used with Nara flower clay, a flexible air-dry clay and mixed media. The workshop will focus on making armatures and familiarity with the clay and techniques to make some small figurines.

All materials supplied including clays, wire, recycled jewellery and paints. Participants are asked to bring any extra found objects/jewellery they wish to include, and wire cutters/pliers if they can.

Bring your imaginations too. (If you can imagine it, you can make it!)

Learn how to:

Make wire armatures
Model with clay
Inventively combine different materials (clay, recycled jewellery, objects)
Make flowers and leaves from clay
Create figurines, brooches and small sculptures

Tuesday Social Art Group
2026-08-18 10:00 - 15:30, 2026-08-25 10:00 - 15:30 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
MEMBERS ONLY
FREE
Work, Chat, Coffee

OAS Workshop - Dave Atwell - Watercolours
2026-08-19 10:00 - 2026-08-21 15:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
OPEN to all – Bookings are to be made directly with the tutor
Bookings to dave@lakesvocational.co.nz Class limited to first six people enrolled.

Three Day Workshop Hosted by Dave Attwell of Wanaka Watercolours, Price $125.00
At the Otago Art Society, Level One, Dunedin Railway Station in the Artzone Gallery.

A relaxed, enjoyable three‑day workshop for anyone who wants to paint, learn new techniques and expand their knowledge of watercolour. The course is targeted at intermediate level painters or those wanting to learn more advanced techniques.
Over the three days we’ll explore mainly landscapes, with a little time spent on streetscapes. Each day includes a short, easy going theory session including a brief demonstration covering either brushwork, colour mixing, composition, skies, tone, and the key elements that bring a painting to life — buildings, water, reflections, figures and more. But the real focus is your painting, your enjoyment, and your progress.
My approach:
This course is all about learning by doing, without pressure, without judgement, and with plenty of encouragement.

We’ll endeavour to complete at least two paintings each day.
I’ll start each project with a simple sketch from a reference photo.
Then I’ll demonstrate each stage of the paintings in short, manageable steps.
You’ll follow along at your own pace, building confidence as you go.

On the final day, you’re invited to bring an image that means something to you. You’ll use your new skills to create a painting that’s truly your own.
There are no rights or wrongs here, just an opportunity to express yourself, enjoy the process, and pick up on the practical knowledge I’ve gathered from years of working in this wonderful, occasionally maddening, but rewarding world of watercolour.

Course runs from 10am to 3pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 19-21 August. Registrations limited to six, email me at dave@lakesvocatiional.co.nz if you’d like to register or have any queries.

Artist Profile – Dave Attwell – Wanaka Watercolours
Dave Attwell is an award-winning Wanaka based painter who works solely in watercolour. Born in Dunedin, Dave has always felt a strong attraction to the intense light and rugged landscapes of the Queenstown Lakes District and his love of the region is reflected in many of his paintings. He produces paintings of strong design and creates a magical atmosphere and mood in his paintings. The scope of Dave’s work features landscapes, people at work and streets scenes.
Dave is a keen plein air painter who regularly paints around Wanaka. He provides tuition to individuals and guides small groups to some of his favourite painting haunts around Wanaka. Dave’s paintings frequently appear in exhibitions in the Dunedin and Queenstown Lakes regions. Dave’s Vineyard Series of paintings can be seen at The Return to Eden Gallery at Saint Clair Vineyard in Blenheim. Dave’s work can be seen on his ‘Wanaka Watercolours’ Facebook or Instagram Pages.

Members night
2026-08-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
MEMBERS Only
AGM – summary of 2025/26 and elections for 2026/27
150th Anniversary Celebration Cake cutting

OAS Winter Workshop Series - Kasia Hebda - Artist, Designer, Art Restorer
2026-08-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Hoihō · The World’s Rarest Penguin · Full-Day Watercolour Workshop with Kasia Hebda
Book on line using the link below. All materials provided
Note Kasia has set up a discount code if you book two people

Queenstown-based artist and art conservator Kasia Hebda is coming to Dunedin for one day only, and bringing her birds with her.
Join her for a full day of watercolour painting, with the hoihō (yellow-eyed penguin), one of the rarest penguins on Earth. No experience needed.
From first-time painters to those refining their technique, Kasia’s structured, professional approach will have you leaving with a finished piece and a process you can keep using at home.
Held at Hope Gallery, Otago Art Society, right in the heart of Dunedin Railway Station. This is Kasia’s first workshop in Dunedin, and places are limited to 20.
5% of profits from the workshop go to the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, supporting conservation work to protect the hoihō and its habitat.

Book here or visit kasiahebda.com/workshops.
Bringing a friend? Look out for the Bring Your Birdie pairs offer, running until 7 August

OAS Winter Workshop Series - Louise Craig - Multi Media Artist
2026-08-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Open to public – Merino Felt Artwork Workshop
Fee apply – Contact Louise at hanan.gallery@gmail.com, or phone 027 6920552. A registration form will be sent and details of workshop dates, times, payment method and pre-course information will be confirmed.
Louise Craig bio
Louise is an Invercargill based multimedia artist who has experimented with a variety of mediums including oil and acrylic painting, paint making, monoprinting, life drawing, felting scarves and artwork using the wet and needle felting techniques, dying silk, making upcycled and new jewellery and handmade rose petal beads. All these artforms have produced items that are either for visual enjoyment or are wearable. Louise believes that by being interested and willing to experiment with new mediums and techniques that this keeps our artistic spark alive and can open a doorway to a new artistic passion that gives you joy, challenges and a sense of accomplishment. Louise has studied Visual Communications, Fine Arts in Dunedin and colour therapy. She has been involved in solo and group exhibitions, has previously tutored workshops and operates Hanan Gallery at 130 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Merino Felt Artwork Workshop, $130, 6 hrs,
Select your image to felt and learn about prefelts and how to lay out your fibre.
Felt your artwork using the wet felting technique. While your work is drying there will be a discussion on various felting techniques with examples. Once dry add details to your artwork using the needle felting technique. When completed your artwork will be approximately A4 size. All materials and course notes supplied. No previous experience required.

Inspiring Design Workshop
2026-08-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
OAS Workshop series.
These are open to all – there is a $99 fee for this workshop
OAS members get 50% discount, on this workshop – USE discount code ARTS
The Art of Showing Up; delivered by Inspiring design
This workshop is about showing up for your ideas, your story and your work. Not perfectly, but intentionally.
We take what lives in your head and turn it into something people can actually see, feel and connect with
Topics
Visuals – Learn how to unlock the potential of your phone
Social Media – Turn ideas into content
SEO – understand how to make your content easier to find
You can enter through the web link below.
http://www.inspiringdesign.co.nz/shop/p/workshops/otagoartsociety

OAS Winter Workshop Series - Louise Craig - Multi Media Artist
2026-08-23 11:00 - 16:00 | otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
Open to public – Merino Felt Art Scarf Workshop
Fees apply – Contact Louise at hanan.gallery@gmail.com, or phone 027 6920552. A registration form will be sent and details of workshop dates, times, payment method and pre-course information will be confirmed.
Louise Craig bio
Louise is an Invercargill based multimedia artist who has experimented with a variety of mediums including oil and acrylic painting, paint making, monoprinting, life drawing, felting scarves and artwork using the wet and needle felting techniques, dying silk, making upcycled and new jewellery and handmade rose petal beads. All these artforms have produced items that are either for visual enjoyment or are wearable. Louise believes that by being interested and willing to experiment with new mediums and techniques that this keeps our artistic spark alive and can open a doorway to a new artistic passion that gives you joy, challenges and a sense of accomplishment. Louise has studied Visual Communications, Fine Arts in Dunedin and colour therapy. She has been involved in solo and group exhibitions, has previously tutored workshops and operates Hanan Gallery at 130 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Merino Felt Art Scarf Workshop, $100, 3 hrs, Sunday
Choose your merino fibre colour and learn how to lay out your fibre. Then add silk fabric, yarn and embellishments to your scarf. Felt your scarf using the wet felting technique. All materials and course notes supplied. No previous experience required.

OAS Winter Workshops - Kat Allard - Introduction to Ink - Line & Wash / Drawing with Graphite
2026-08-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
OPEN to all – Bookings are to be made directly with the tutor
Bookings to kat.allard@protonmail.com
Hope Gallery 2-4pm, $45. All materials supplied.
Artist Kat Allard specialises in Botanical Metalpoint Drawing.

Kat Allard is an artist based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, who specialises in botanical metalpoint drawing. You can find her work at: www.katallard.art / instagram @kat.allard.art. Kat has worked in education and arts for over 25 years, and has most recently taught art workshops at Among The Sparrows, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Ashburton Art Gallery and the Southerly Art School.
Kat loves to experiment with art materials and has an online art materials shop that supports her taught classes: www.silverpointsupplies.co.nz / instagram @silverpoint_nz
Kat is running two workshops – one on the 23rd and one on the 29th
Introduction to ink: line and wash flowers
No experience needed.
Attendees will have fun trying different inks and techniques for using line and wash to draw flowers.
The focus will be on expressive marks and creative exploration underpinned by a gently guided explanation of artist inks.

OAS Winter Workshops - Brenda Nyhof - Mixed Media Sculptor
2026-08-24 - 2026-08-25 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Open to the public – Make a wall-hung sculpture with air-dry clay
Fees apply: Contact Brenda Nyhof to register: Email abnyhof@xtra.co.nz Phone 0274890360
Brenda Nyhof
Brenda is a Dunedin artist known for creating fantasy masks, figurines and wall- hung sculptures from air-dry and polymer clays with recycled jewellery and possum fur. She has worked with many mediums during her life, moving from drawing and painting to papier mâché, and a mixed media approach. Her work reflects a love of nature and stories, mythology and fantasy.
Brenda has held solo exhibitions in Dunedin in the 1990’ s and 2000’ s (Moray Gallery, Gray’s Gallery, Arthouse), currently exhibiting mainly more in group exhibitions. (Otago Art Society, Art Shows Across Aotearoa). She has been teaching art for many years both privately and in a voluntary role at a primary school, drawing, painting, papier mâché, and mixed media works.
Workshop 2: Make a wall-hung sculpture with air-dry clay – Cost $150
24 & 25 August (limited to 5 people)

Participants will gain skill in the different techniques used with Nara flower clay, a flexible air-dry clay and mixed media. The workshop will focus on designing and making a wall-hung sculptures with the clay.

All materials supplied including clay, wire, recycled jewellery and paints. Participants are asked to bring any extra found objects/jewellery they wish to include, and wire cutters/pliers if they can.

Bring your imaginations too. (If you can imagine it, you can make it!)

Learn how to:

Design a wall-hung sculpture
Make a wall-mounted armature.
Model with air-dry clay, learn different techniques.
Inventively combine different materials (clay, recycled jewellery, objects).

OAS Winter Workshop Series - Louise Craig - Multi Media Artist
2026-08-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Open to public –Gouache & Ink Resist Painting Workshop
Fee apply – Contact Louise at hanan.gallery@gmail.com, or phone 027 6920552. A registration form will be sent and details of workshop dates, times, payment method and pre-course information will be confirmed.
Louise Craig bio
Louise is an Invercargill based multimedia artist who has experimented with a variety of mediums including oil and acrylic painting, paint making, monoprinting, life drawing, felting scarves and artwork using the wet and needle felting techniques, dying silk, making upcycled and new jewellery and handmade rose petal beads. All these artforms have produced items that are either for visual enjoyment or are wearable. Louise believes that by being interested and willing to experiment with new mediums and techniques that this keeps our artistic spark alive and can open a doorway to a new artistic passion that gives you joy, challenges and a sense of accomplishment. Louise has studied Visual Communications, Fine Arts in Dunedin and colour therapy. She has been involved in solo and group exhibitions, has previously tutored workshops and operates Hanan Gallery at 130 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Gouache & Ink Resist Painting Workshop, $100, 3hrs, Thursday 27 August
Bring your own image to paint or paint the flowers in vases or props supplied.
Draw and paint your image leaving unpainted areas on the page then cover the entire page with ink. Once dried wash off the ink. Your painted image reveals painted areas with inked areas having printmaking like textures. All materials and course notes supplied. No previous experience required.

Rangi Takō Winterstellar Exhibition 2026
2026-08-31 - 2026-09-25 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
Free to All
Otago and Southland are remarkable places. Situated further south than most of the world’s population, our region offers exceptional views of the Southern Milky Way, frequent displays of the Aurora Australis, and some of the darkest and most pristine night skies remaining anywhere on Earth. These skies are not only scientifically important, but also a source of inspiration for artists, photographers and all who take the time to look up.
Winterstellar Charitable Trust was established to foster public appreciation of the dark skies of Otago and Southland through astronomy, astrophotography, education and community engagement. By bringing together artists, photographers, scientists and local communities, the Trust seeks to inspire stewardship of one of our region’s greatest natural treasures – night skies that rank among the finest remaining in the world.

Winterstellar Charitable Trust has hired the OAS Galleries to exhibit this work, and we are delighted to be partnering with OAS to bring this exhibition to Dunedin. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of Dunedin Railway Station, whose partnership through The Taieri Gorge Stargazer experience in July helps connect people with the extraordinary dark skies of Otago through a unique combination of rail travel, astronomy and storytelling. Their support has helped make our exhibition possible.
You can find more information and book tickets on The Taieri Gorge Stargazer experience in July here: https://dunedinrailways.co.nz/taieri-gorge-stargazer/

Tots@OAS
2026-09-02 09:30 - 10:30 | Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, 22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz, 9016, New Zealand
FREE
Bookings essential – call or email OAS
(03) 477 9465
otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
12 tots per session, must be accompanied by parent or guardian
The programme will focus on one artwork each month held in the Permanent Collection. There will be fun activities available for the preschoolers to participate in plus more in-depth information on the artwork and artist chosen for the child’s guardian to read at their leisure.

It’s In the Bag – Childrens Art
2026-09-02 13:00 - 14:00 | otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
FREE
Bookings essential – call or email OAS
(03) 477 9465
otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz

Artwork donated for this project with research into the artist, and concept attached to the work, has been put into a specially modified suitcase. Students will be given the opportunity to explore themed artwork through touch and observation, developing an understanding of shapes, textures and materials. The programme is designed to enhance children’s visual literacy, encourage wonder, and foster appreciation of gallery spaces and artworks.
First Wednesday of each month April to September

ART Classes - Drawing and Painting - evening class
2026-09-09 18:00 - 20:00 | otagoartsociety@xtra.co.nz
