Current and Upcoming Exhibiitions
Explore the current and upcoming art exhibitions at The Arts Village Rotorua. Our three gallery spaces feature constantly changing exhibitions from local artists, community groups, and the wider community. If you’re interested in showcasing your own exhibition in our space or want to have a go at a community show head over to our Artist portal.
Exhibitions this, Exhibitions that…..are waiting for you to come and see
He Kete Kotahi
He Whenu Maha
30th May – 27th June
Wallis, Mosaic, Cottage and Maumahara Galleries
Last week to catch the exhibition
He Kete Kotahi He Whenu Maha is a biennial Rotorua exhibition celebrating unity through visual arts. Inspired by the Race Unity Speech Awards and the principle of the oneness of humankind, it explores what connects us all — across race, ethnicity, gender and age. Reflecting this year’s theme of Peace, Love and Family, artists are invited to share what unity looks and feels like in our community.
Open to tamariki, rangatahi, emerging and established artists, He Kete Kotahi is more than an exhibition — it’s a celebration of connection through art.
Whats coming up…
Under the Stars
9th July – 1st August
Wallis, Mosaic, Cottage and Maumahara Galleries
Artist Callout – He Kete Kotahi He Whenu Maha Last Day for submissions 26th June
Celebrate Matariki through art. Under the Stars 2026 invites Rotorua-based artists—amateur and professional—to share works inspired by Matariki. The exhibition runs July–August across all galleries at The Arts Village, with a special celebration on Thursday, 9 July.
Matariki Mokoia Intermediate
9th July – 1st August
Cottage Gallery
In conjuction with the Under the stars, ākonga of Te Kura Takawaenga o Mokoia (Mokoia Intermediate), share their creativity, stories, and reflections — many exhibiting publicly for the very first time. This exhibition is both a celebration and a reminder of our connection to te taiao and the shared responsibility to care for and protect the world around us
Ngā Hue o Matariki Toni-Marie Jennings
9th July – 1st August
The Wallis gallery
In conjunction with Under the Stars 2026 Māori artist Toni-Marie Jennings’ exhibition explores connection to whakapapa, the stars, and the stories we carry.
Reimagining Rainbow Rotorua – Moving Forward Together
14th August – 5th September
Opening 5pm 14th August
Maumahara Gallery
Rotorua Chamber of Pride is a charitable trust dedicated to uplifting, celebrating, and advocating for our local LGBTQIA+ community — and we’re entering an exciting new chapter.
As part of our rebrand, we invited the community to help shape our new logo and merchandise through an art competition. This exhibition showcases selected entries alongside incredible mahi toi from local Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ artists.
This is more than an exhibition — it’s a celebration of belonging, identity, and the vision of a Rotorua where LGBTQIA+ people are seen, supported, and proud.
Come along, be inspired, and celebrate with us.
Being Inspired when imagining colours
St Chads Exhibitions
14th August – 4th September
The Mosaic gallery
Exploring colour, imagination, and new creative techniques, this vibrant exhibition celebrates creativity, self-expression, and community connection.
Material World Chris Melville
7th November – 4th December
Cottage Gallery
Material World explores perception, transformation, and place. Through slow shutter photography of everyday fabrics, Chris Melville transforms the familiar into vast, atmospheric landscapes—inviting us to look again and find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Chris is an award-winning New Zealand abstract photographer whose work transforms everyday materials into atmospheric, landscape-like imagery.
