Established in 1964, the Ashburton Society of Arts is a long serving and supportive community for local artists. Located at the Short Street Studio, the society promotes the study, practice and cultivation of the visual arts, inspire creativity and encourage production of works of art.

As a member of our society we welcome you to attend our weekend schools, weekly art groups, art trips and untutored painting weekends at various locations. Our famous annual exhibition is hosted every year in June/July, and artists from kindred societies are also welcomed to join. 

The Ashburton Society of Arts also hosts a week long summer school is held in January. Our Short Street Studio premises is available for hire for independent exhibitions.

Discover more about what our society can offer you.

The Ashburton Society of Arts is very proud to own its own building at 53 Short Street, Ashburton. This gives us a place to call our own and a venue for all our workshops, meetings and events throughout the year.

We have 2 rooms available to enjoy our art in (or hire out).

Annual Membership $30

Receive newsletters keeping you in touch of all our varied and inspiring activities and events including bus trips and outings, art inspired workshops, meetings, art news, members’ exhibitions, independent exhibitions, along with those activities mentioned below.

Financial year 1 September – 31 August

Wednesdays 10am – 2pm. 

This is for member artists of all levels who want to come and paint/draw/print and be with like minded people, sharing ideas and knowledge. Non-tutored. 

$10 per month, $5 per day casual.

Contact Roz Ledingham on 021 718 633.

Mondays from 10am – 2pm.

This is for member artists of all levels. Come and join an enthusiastic group to create art work using collage, printing and different surface design techniques. We are all discovering new ways of doing our pieces. Everyone can enjoy.

Non tutored. $10 per month or $5 per day.

Contact Val  on 3085460 for more details.

During the months of February to May and July to November the Society arranges various tutors to impart their knowledge to artists. Information on workshops will be in our newsletters.

We also offer a summer school in January.

Social meetings are held  for the purpose of members getting together to exchange ideas, news, share an art video, watch painting demonstrations and listen to speakers. Keep a look out for information in our newsletters or on our facebook page.

Everyone welcome – bring a friend.

Contact Val Clemens on 027 2285620

for more details.

The Society holds members exhibitions at Short Street Studio. The summer, autumn, winter and spring cash and carry exhibition for members to apply to enter.

All members welcome, keep a look out for information in our newsletters.

We have a good collection of art books and magazines which we are adding to all the time. 

Members are welcome to borrow these for a three week period.

Our Annual Exhibition featuring Art, Applied Art & Craft and Photography is usually held during  July.

It attracts several hundred entries from all over New Zealand. To be eligible, artists must belong to the Ashburton Society of Arts or to a kindred society. 

Artists are allowed to enter one painting, one sculpture, three miniature paintings plus three applied art & craft entries 1 photograph if desired. Size restrictions apply to all categories and will be set out on the conditions of entry.

Online entries are available during May .

Entries close about the last week of May and works are required to be delivered on receiving day  which is approximately the week before the opening of the exhibition and advised on entry.

If you are a member of a kindred society and wish to enter email your name, address, phone number and name of society you belong to and an entry form and conditions of entry can be emailed on request.

Want to join the ASA?

If you are interested in joining our Society please fill out the online membership form below.

Website development kindly sponsored by