Make It Nelson: A Hands-On Winter Escape
Make It Nelson is a new initiative from Arts Council Nelson, long-time champions of artists and innovators across Te Tauihu Top of the South. The month-long programme places experienced artists, craftspeople, innovators, and makers at the centre, leading practical, hands-on workshops in studios and creative spaces throughout the city.
Designed to be accessible and welcoming, most sessions are stand-alone workshops focused on learning something new, meeting like-minded people, and taking home a unique handmade creation.
The programme spans 51 distinct workshops — with several repeated across four weekends — and includes ceramics, jewellery, weaving, taonga pūoro, drawing, painting, woodcarving and even pastie making.
Most sessions run for half a day, with selected full-day and two-day options available.
“Nelson has long been a centre for creativity, and Make It Nelson has a twofold objective,” says Arts Council Nelson Director Rohan O’Neill-Stevens. “Firstly, it celebrates and shares the knowledge, skill and passion of our region’s artists and makers. Secondly, it creates genuine opportunities for people who are curious about making, especially beginners looking for a welcoming first experience.”
Beyond the local community, Make It Nelson is also positioned as a compelling winter escape.
“For people across the motu, it’s a fantastic reason to visit”, says O’Neill-Stevens, ”You can book a workshop or two and at the same time enjoy Nelson’s galleries, hospitality and adventure offerings.”
Make It Nelson is ideal for couples and friends planning a creative weekend away, visitors seeking hands-on experiences, and locals wanting to try something different during the quieter winter months.
Spreading the programme across four weekends ensures flexibility, making it easier for people to fit creativity into busy schedules.
Organised by Arts Council Nelson and supported by Nelson City Council, Make It Nelson is a new annual event, showcasing the region’s vibrant creative community. With an aim to attract curious arts-makers of Whakatū, Make It Nelson is also designed to attract visitors from across the motu, bringing fresh energy to the city every weekend throughout June.
Make It Nelson is a curated platform for independent creatives, providing the infrastructure and marketing support needed to deliver a programme of multi-weekend workshops. This support enables local makers to teach skills and techniques, share knowledge and ideas, and generate income. For participants, the workshops offer an inviting chance to try something new, connect with others, and experience the satisfaction of making something tangible with their own hands.
Arts Council Nelson also delivers Nelson Clay Week and Nelson Jewellery Week as complementary biennial events, along with the annual Changing Threads textile exhibition and award. Arts Council Nelson is based at Refinery ArtSpace, which has a diverse year-round programme of engaging community-driven and contemporary exhibitions, projects and events that stimulate and strengthen the artistic and cultural life of Whakatū.
Full programme at makeitnelson.co.nz
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