Wellington's main street Nanima Crescent has been abuzz lately, thanks to Wellington Arts, a support network for local artists and groups, with direct links to Orana Arts and other regional networks.

It was established in 2018 with a goal to support and help all artists grow and expand their creative businesses and organisations, successfully coordinated art festivals, exhibitions and events since 2018.

One example is volunteers and members have continually window-dressed four vacant shops in the business precinct with a range of artworks. This year Western Gallery is also presenting the fourth year of the ‘Con Art Collaboration’.

This art exhibition showcases the incredible talents of artists from three regional correctional centres: Macquarie, Wellington and Bathurst. It is a unique collection of exceptional artworks created within these facilities.

This unique concept began as a casual conversation in the local grocery shop queue between Wellington Arts volunteers and the correctional centre staff, and has grown to include over thirty artists. It has grown in popularity with many benefits seen in the mental health and creativity of inmates as well as the region’s tourism and economic growth. A percentage of proceeds from artwork sales goes to victims of crime, Wellington Arts and the inmate artists, with money used to purchase arts materials or send to family members.

With over 4500 visitors to the Western Gallery in 2024 it is a thriving location. The gallery is 100 per cent voluntarily operated and also runs in conjunction with the Lion’s Club Book Fair. With over one hundred Wellington Arts members, many of these also display creations ranging from paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and mixed media within the Western Gallery. It is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-2pm, and new members are always welcome.

Wellington Arts also runs a number of artistic workshops throughout the year with the next mosaic workshop running on Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025. For more mosaic information please email wellingtonarts1@gmail.com or see Western Gallery at 33 Nanima Cres, Wellington.