WELLINGTON, New Zealand – July 13, 2025 – Vincents Art Workshop, Aotearoa’s oldest Creative Space, is proud to announce its landmark Annual Group Show, running from August 7 to August 24, 2025. This significant exhibition will showcase the vibrant work of its artists and serve as a powerful retrospective, tracing the workshop's four-decade history and highlighting the transformative journeys of notable artists who have fostered their creativity within its walls.

Named in homage to Vincent Van Gogh, an artist whose profound work emerged despite his struggles with mental illness, Vincents Art Workshop was founded in 1985. Its establishment was a direct response to the deinstitutionalisation of psychiatric hospitals, providing a crucial, inclusive, and free space for art-making and creative development. For four decades, Vincents has offered a sanctuary where thousands of people from across the community, many facing barriers to participation elsewhere, have found a home for their artistic expression.

The exhibition at Tākina Function Centre will embody Vincents; core kaupapa of kindness, inclusion, and transformation through creativity. Visitors will witness a rich tapestry of artistic achievements, from early works that reflect the workshop's foundational years to contemporary pieces that speak to its ongoing vitality. The retrospective will shine a light on the diverse talents that have flourished at Vincents, celebrating the unique voices and profound artistic journeys of individuals who have found empowerment and community through art.

On August 16, we will host an artists talk that highlights the work of our artists in our annual show. This talk will highlight the personal journeys of selected artists and is not to be missed.

Complementing Vincents’ own compelling showcase, the exhibition will also feature works from the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, the Wellington Sculpture Trust, a historical retrospective from the Evening Post and Poking Sticks - A Different, Irreverent Reality which will showcase the works of South Island artists with roots in the Netherlands.

This multi-faceted presentation highlights the best of Wellington and offers a comprehensive cultural experience, underscoring the deep connections between art, history, and community wellbeing.

Vincents Art Workshop invites the public to experience this inspiring exhibition, a testament to the power of art to change lives and build community.

Exhibition Details:● What: Vincents Art Workshop Annual Group Show & Retrospective (with additional exhibits)

• When: Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 24, 2025
• Artist Talk: August 16, 2 pm
• Where: Tākina Function Centre, 50 Cable Street, Wellington

Admission to the exhibition is $10.00 and open to the public during Tākina's regular operating hours.

About Vincents Art Workshop:

Founded in 1985, Vincents Art Workshop is Aotearoa’s oldest Creative Space, named in recognition of Vincent Van Gogh’s artistic legacy amidst mental health challenges. In response to the deinstitutionalisation of psychiatric hospitals, Vincents has provided inclusive, free access to art-making and creative development for thousands of people. Its kaupapa of manaakitanga, inclusion, and transformation through creativity has made it a cornerstone of the Wellington art and social communities for 40 years.

Enquiries: Contact Andrew Mitchell, Vincents Art Workshop: andrew@vincentsart.org or phone 027 2218180