Go Gecko - Collaborative

Community Public Art Project

Hiwa (Arts Council Nelson)

These large wall-mounted mosaic artworks are comprised of bisque fired clay on marine ply created by the Nelson community and visitors to ‘Potters Square’ during Nelson Clay Week 2024.

Nelson Clay Week [NCW] is a nine-day festival presented by Hiwa (formerly Arts Council Nelson) celebrating everything ‘clay’ and its relevance to Whakatū. As part of NCW, 1903 Square at the top of Trafalgar St becomes a ‘Potters Square’ with a ‘pottery studio’ complete with throwing wheels, ‘hand building’ tables, special events and heaps of clay.

The public were invited to engage by getting their hands into clay. In 2024, people of all ages joined in the creative process by making over 500 reptilians that are now part of these collaborative public artworks.

Hiwa extends huge thanks to everyone that came on board to have fun and are thrilled to offer another opportunity to create more artworks this year. Thanks also to our collaborative partner Makeshift Spaces and to the Thompson Property Group for enabling the siting of this installation.

AND WE’RE DOING IT ALL AGAIN ……GET INVOLVED WTH NELSON CLAY WEEK 2026 Come to Potters Square at the top of Trafalgar St in Nelson between 3rd – 9th October to help us create creatures which will form new public artworks that will be donated to and sited at Natureland Zoo and The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary. No previous experience required. Friendly team to help. All free and for a great cause.

SEEKING MORE PERMANANT HOMES FOR THESE WORKS……

These works are temporarily installed in central Nelson, but will need news sites in a few months time. We would be happy for these to be separated or installed as a group. If you have a public wall and may be interested in siting these (at out cost) and/or would like to discuss any further details, please contact Lloyd by email at: lloyd@acn.org.nz or call on 027 326 6166.