About Art Assembly
Art Assembly exists to offer the Wakatipu-Queenstown Lakes area a school that is serious about teaching visual art.
It provides a space for students to focus on developing foundational technique, observational skills, experimentation and confidence with materials, guided directly by experienced contemporary artists from the region and beyond.
Art Assembly is an art conversation community.
Kim Shaw
Founder & Operator
New Zealand-born Kim Shaw works predominantly in the medium of painting but has also worked extensively in video.
Kim has completed a Masters of Fine Art with honors at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, followed by a Master of Arts Management also at Whitecliffe College. Kim studied painting under mentors Alan Smith and Matthew Browne. She worked for Browne for several years as an administration manager at Browne School of Art.
Kim has exhibited in several solo and group shows in Auckland and Queenstown. Her work is represented in private collections throughout New Zealand and off-shore.
After moving to Queenstown in 2023, Kim has been an active participant in the Queenstown arts scene and has identified the need for a dedicated centre for learning and experiencing visual art.
“I want to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people curious about making visual art, or extending their own practice, to an art-making community and become part of an art conversation.”
Our Location
Autumn courses in 2026 will be held at The Assembly Room, at Country Lane in Frankton.
Nestled on a farm just 5 minutes from Queenstown airport, relocated heritage buildings sit alongside the original farm sheds, forming this charming rustic village.
Country Lane hosts a vibrant community of local artisan businesses and is a perfect environment for teaching and exhibiting art.
Visual communication is an integral part of everyday life. Essentially, visual art is a powerful means of conveying ideas, feelings, and stories through visual imagery. It includes a broad spectrum of forms from drawing, painting and sculpture to contemporary digital art and photography to reflect cultural values and human experiences. Engaging with visual art enables emotional connection, resilience, and personal growth through creative expression and exploration.
Perhaps you consider yourself a total beginner, curious about making artwork, or maybe a more experienced visual practitioner, Art Assembly will be a centre for structured learning and support of the visual arts. The school aims to introduce, reinvigorate and develop students’ abilities to observe, experiment and express. It will be a base for community, art conversation and connection.
At Art Assembly we aim to provide a space and teaching to allow for creative opportunities for the broader community to ascertain their creative artistic potential. We offer:
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An on-site, in-person course in Queenstown
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Access to qualified and inspiring art tutors
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Support to clearly communicate ideas
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Introduction to other enriching artists
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Art materials knowledge and use
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A safe space for self-expression through art-making ensuring that the discussion and making of visual artwork is accessible and enjoyable
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A community conversation about art.
