Back to Blog

Exploring Art Through Critique: A Creative Learning Experience

As part of Adult Education Week, we held a Critique Session with local artist Dean McLeod on Friday 12 September. Open to all—beginners and experienced artists alike—the session gave participants the chance to bring their artwork, share the stories behind it, and receive constructive feedback.Artists gained insight not only from Dean but also from their peers, learning how to give and receive critiques in a supportive environment. One participant said:“I gained insight into my work that I ...

Brave Marks: Celebrating Creativity in Our Community

On 12 September, we proudly opened Brave Marks, a vibrant group exhibition showcasing the talents of local adults attending our term art classes. For many of the artists, this was their first ever exhibition—a milestone that made the celebration even more special. The opening was part of Adult Education Week in New Zealand and supported by ACE Aotearoa, celebrating learning, growth, and creativity in our community. The day started off with a bang, featuring speeches, laughter, and a walk throu...

Grand Opening of NZ’s Smallest Gallery

Today we celebrated the Grand Opening of NZ’s Smallest Gallery – a one-window art space in the heart of Hamilton.With wonderful support from our community, artists connected to Arts for Health, and even coverage from the Waikato Times, the day was a special one. We marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by nibbles and conversation.The gallery is more than just a window – it’s a reminder of what we stand for. Our goal is to bring creativity into everyday life, spark ...

New post

Art therapy is a proven way to support mental health and emotional well-being. By using painting, drawing, or sculpture, you can reduce stress, build confidence, and explore feelings in a safe and creative space. At Arts for Health in Hamilton, our art therapy workshops provide gentle guidance for anyone wanting to heal, grow, and connect with others.What Is Art Therapy?Art therapy blends creativity with psychological principles. With support from a trained professional, you use art to express e...

Meet Your Judge Art Competition 2025

We’re thrilled to announce Oliver Stewart as the judge for our 2025 Annual Art Competition! Oliver Stewart is a multimedia artist based in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. His creative practice encompasses video, music, digital and painted art and has a focus on neo expressionism within his visual medium. He has exhibited in a multitude of local and nationwide galleries after getting started in the local scene back in 2010. As a previous attendee of the Arts for Health annual competition of almost 10 ye...

Annual Art Competition Entries Open for 2025

Making Changes 2025 – Arts for Health Annual Art Competition & ExhibitionMaking Changes isn’t just an art competition – it’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and community. Each year, this exhibition brings together artists of all ages and backgrounds to share their work, tell their stories, and be part of something bigger than themselves.We welcome artwork in all visual mediums — painting, textiles, sculpture, mixed media and more. This is your chance to show your work in ...

Changing your life with Art

Our art therapy group at Arts for Health in Hamilton offers a calming way to support your wellbeing. We provide a cosy space where you can explore your creativity and practise mindfulness. If you're feeling stressed or need some personal time, this is the ideal place to start. Over eight weeks, you'll try a variety of art activities such as painting, pastels, printing, clay sculpture, drawing, and collage. Each session is led by Scarlett Jeong, a registered arts therapist who fosters a peaceful...

Creating a Winning Piece

The winner of Arts for Health's Annual Art Competition and Exhibition 2022, Oliver Stewart, shares his process behind creating work for an exhibition and tips towards creating the winning piece, Submit your art for this years art competition and exhibition, Connections. Entries close 30th June. Enter hereTips about creating a winning piece:Don't approach a painting as if it's a competition. Art is about communication, sharing ideas in a way that our words can't accomplish. Your art should b...

Annual Art Competition & Exhibition

Start getting ready and creating your art for Arts for Health's annual art competition and exhibition for 2023. With the prize money of $1000, make sure you're one of the first 100 entries before spaces are gone! (limit of a 100 entries for overall show)...

Workshops Term 1

Sign up to one of our workshops this upcoming term! Learn a new skill, or give yourself some time to relax within the arts. From art classes to children's arts therapy workshops, there's something here for everyone one.For more info and bookings click here - https://www.eventspronto.co.nz...Book your seat today!...

Quiz Night

Get your pencils ready, and join us for a fun quiz evening open to all! A fun event for family & friends, get ready to dominate the night with your knowledge while having laugh and enjoying some nibbles. Supper provided, while you can also BYO drinks and snacksBring cash to buy an answer for the quiz and for the raffle20 tables of 4 people, $10 per person. Book a table, or we can pop you into a group if needed.29th October 7pm -9:30pmWaikato Bridge Club56 Brookfield Stree...

Successful Art Exhibition Opening

Arts for Health celebrated their 10th annual exhibition and competition 'Collusion' this month with the opening night event being held at the prestigious Arts Post in Hamilton. Collusion attracted over 100 paintings and sculpture entries from New Zealand.  Opening night was a bustling colourful night with 150 attending and 1000 people expected to visit the exhibition over the month of August. Arts for Health is a community-based organization that brings creative expression to people when th...

Journey Through Art

Wanting to learn more about art but don't know how? Wanting to learn new skills and try different mediums? Journey Through Art: a 8-week course in drawing, painting, collage and other cool mediums. Small group setting with lots of fun, working on projects throughout the term.Suitable for adults of all abilities.Cost $125Three different classes available (all the same!)  - Quiet classes Mondays 17th Oct - 12th Dec 9.30am - 11.30am - Fridays 21st Oct - 9th Dec 9.30am - 11.30am or 12.30-p...

Collusion Opening

With over 100 art works up on the wall and rooms full of eager people ready to see the art created by the community, the night started off with a bang. The overall winner for this years exhibition was Oliver Stewart and his art work "Just Another Superhero".Followed by all our other category winners and merit winners Category - Age is a Work of Art (sponsored by Age Concern Hamilton) - Temperature Barcode, by Anna Wildey- Arts for Health Artist Award - Is this my Blue Period,...

Empowering Expressive Art (Age 5 - 12)

Are you looking for a creative programme for your child? A way to help them express their feelings and build their relaxation and resilience skills? Join our art therapy programme where we use creativity and art-making to support children to increase their regulation skills, all the while having fun and connecting with others. This is 10 week programme, run by a registered clinical arts therapist, designed for children 5-12 years old. Book your space in eventpronto, and you will be sent our...

Mindful Art Therapy Workshops for Adults

Our mindfulness art therapy workshops offer you a place where you can be inspired and create new possibilities as an experiential process of self-discovery The focus is on improving understanding of your inner self and emotions, and developing new art skills and processes to cultivate your creativity. We provide an opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone into a safe place where all are welcome.   Booking at Events ProntoWhen: Mondays Term 3Dates: July 25th, August 1st...

Art exhibition extension

Great news! You have another month to work on those all important master pieces. Our exhibition has been pushed back a month due to a double booking at Arts Post. The new dates are; Closing date to enter online Wednesday 27 JulyDrop off your artwork at Arts Post 10-12 noon Wednesday 3 AugustJoin us on opening night and see who our winner is Thursday 4 AugustCollect any unsold work from Arts Post Tuesday 6 September 10-12 noon ...

Learn how to use your device to Create Art

Wanting to learn the basic functions of your smart phone/tablet, while having the goal to create digital art? Well this is the perfect class for you! Join our 5-week course and learn about devices. With our guided classes you'll be a tech wizz in no time!Bring your own device or use the ones provided to get started towards creating your art. Cost $10 First Block starting 25th July - 22nd August  - Mondays 12.30 - 2.30pmSecond Block starting 29th August - 26th Sept - Mondays 1...

Social Art Group

Did you know that we have Social Art happening every week, Monday-Friday? It is the perfect place to meet new people, work on your own art projects and work beside people who are feeling creative. This is a self directed space but our art tutors can offer suggestions to work through any tricky bits of your process. Stay as long as you like! Cost $5.00 Mondays - Fridays 9.30am - 2.30pm ...

Mindfulness Art Therapy Workshops for Women

Our mindfulness art therapy workshops offer you a place where you can be inspired and create new possibilities as an experiential process of self-discovery The focus is on improving understanding of your inner self and emotions, and developing new art skills and processes to cultivate your creativity. We provide an opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone into a safe place where all are welcome. Booking at Events Pronto When: Mondays Term 3Dates: July 25th, August 1st...

Journey Through Art 2022 Term 3

You want to learn more about art but don't know how? You want to learn new skills and try different mediums? Journey Through Art: an 9 week course in drawing, painting, collage and other cool mediums. Small group setting with lots of fun. Suitable for adults of all abilities and all materials provided.  Cost $125.    Mondays and Fridays available - Quiet classes Mondays 25th July- 19th Sept 9.30am - 11.30amor 12.30pm - 2.30pm- Fridays 29th July - 23...

Meet the Judge

Meet the judge for this years art competition & exhibition, "Collusion", Tony Nicholls. Born and raised in New Plymouth, won the Bernard Aris Art Award for painting in 1974. I graduated from Otago School of art in the early 80s majoring in sculpture. In the eighties I made steel sculpture and in then started making acoustic guitars. I did Postgrad studies at Wintec with First class Honours and Masters with Distinction. At this time my sculptures investigated the reality we overlook, an...

Solo Exhibition

Blake had his first solo exhibition open on the 11th May, exploring colours and space through abstract art. His next steps in his journey is to work towards Arts for Healths annual art competition and exhibition, "Collusion", while developing his techniques and practice further.Here's a video of Blake discussing his process with his exhibition "1st and 23rd"....

Paint like a Famous Artist

You love art but have never had an opportunity to explore it? You want a space that feels creative and encouraging without being intimidating? Our 5-week Paint like a Famous Artist course has been designed for every ability - newbies to those who already know how to paint or draw. Explore the works of 5 great artists and get a chance to recreate their masterpiece each week. You’ll learn new skills, make friends, and leave feeling like you've got some great&nb...

Win $1000 in our August Art Exhibition

It's that time of the year again as we gear up to host our annual art exhibition, this year entitled 'Collusion'. Our goal is to provide all artists with an opportunity to exhibit in their communities, and to celebrate their successes and their achievements. Entry is open to all artists of all abilities with the winning piece receiving $1000 in prize money from local business About Best Practice. If you prefer to admire art rather than create it, consider buying a piece of original high quality ...