More than 80 stories from across the region have been transformed into artworks for Ordinary Wonders, the first exhibition at Nelson’s new Tāwera Arts Hub.
Opening on 15 August, the exhibition has been developed by Hikitia! Te Tauihu, a community-led initiative funded by ACC as part of Te Aorerekura, the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence.
Local people have shared memories of the people, places and experiences that had made a difference in their lives, and local artists have interpreted those stories through painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, pounamu, poetry and mixed media.
“Many of the artists have spoken about how it is such a privilege to create something from somebody’s story, and how healing it’s been for them,” Hikitia! Te Tauihu manager, Dr Nikki Evans says.
“It’s built a sense of community, in a way that perhaps a solo exhibition doesn’t do. People are excited to see what other people have created from the stories. There’s a little bit of magic in that process.”
Nikki is also one of the artists, creating a work inspired by a story about someone who has experienced struggles in their life.
“One of the things that we focus on in this exhibition is the strength and resilience that comes from when we’ve had struggles. This work is acknowledging that we have journeys, we have struggles.”
Local artist Delena Britnell has created a painting from Nikki’s memory of her nana, who taught her how to garden.
“I now teach my mokopuna to garden, and so it’s a bit of an intergenerational picture.”
For Nikki, the exhibition shows how ordinary experiences can have a lasting impact and how art can help open conversations about difficult subjects.
“Every one of us can think of an ordinary moment that stayed with us – a kind word, someone who believed in us, a helping hand, or simply the feeling that we belonged. These moments might seem small, but together they help shape our well-being, our relationships, and the strength of our whānau and communities.
“Art has always had the power to hold a mirror up to society – reflecting who we are, what we value and the attitudes of our time. But it can also do something more. Art can challenge us, start conversations, shift the way we see the world, and help us imagine what could be different.”
Alongside the exhibition, a four-week programme will feature more than 20 free workshops, performances, screenings and kōrero.
Tāwera manager Janja Heathfield says Ordinary Wonders is a fitting way to open the new arts hub.
“Art is a conversation. It gives us a way to come together, to explore difficult ideas with curiosity and compassion, and to have the conversations that matter while upholding everyone’s mana. Ordinary Wonders is the perfect exhibition to open Tāwera Arts Hub because it reminds us that hope, belonging, and connection are built through the stories we share with one another.”
At the end of the exhibition, every artwork will be gifted to the storyteller whose memory inspired it.
Ordinary Wonders runs from 15 August - 16 September. For more information, go to www.rise.net.nz/ordinary-wonders-2026
