Artists' Studios

These studios are open to the public so you can observe the live creation of art.

The seven newly fitted out artists’ studios are on the ground floor of the Engineering Extension building, right next to The Arts Centre Shop.

They are occupied by thirteen artists:

Studio 1 – Sheelagh McHaffie and Roseanne Jones

Studio 2 – Kay Zhang, Anthea Merrin, and Yumi McLean

Studio 3 – Kat Stefanova and Rachel Huston

Studio 4 – Viktoria Karaman

Studio 5 – Linelle Stacey and Eszter Luca

Studio 6 – Charlie Lattimore

Studio 7 – Alexandra van Dyk and Caroline Kelly

These studios are open to the public every day from 10am to 4pm. When the artists are in, you are welcome to walk through, interact with them, and watch the creative process in action. What you see will vary; that’s the nature of art.

Many of the artists have pieces for sale through The Arts Centre Shop. If you’re interested in purchasing something, feel free to ask.

Artist Bios

Studio 1

Sheelagh McHaffie

Sheelagh explores the beauty and vulnerability of the human form through black and white pastel works. Her pieces balance strength and softness, drawing viewers into moments of raw emotion and quiet reflection.

https://www.sheelaghmchaffieart.com/

Roseanne Jones

Roseanne Jones is a Christchurch-based artist working with photography and mixed media. A graduate of Ara Institute of Canterbury (Bachelor of Design, Photography, 2016–2018), her practice is grounded in her own photographic imagery, which she transforms through processes including photo encaustic, paper collage and layered mixed media. Jones has received national recognition, including the Canon Eyecon Award and NZIPP Student of the Year.

https://www.roseannejones.co.nz/

@roseannejones_photomixedmedia

Studio 2

Kay Zhang

With a Master of Arts from the UK and over 20 years of creative practice across Europe, Southeast China, and Australasia, Kay has worked in photography, ceramics, UI/UX, and interior design. Recently completing architectural studies with an interest in architectural history, Kay is now based at The Arts Centre exploring the intersections of material, space, and experience as an architectural maker.

https://www.kzmaker.com/

@kz.maker

Anthea Merrin

Anthea creates textured wall art under the name RAMLOËT. Her work values patience and attention, both in making and in viewing. She employs drawing, fibre, plaster, photography and UV-printed imagery in her art. ‘Imperfections’ from the artist’s hand, slight deviations from a grid, impart nuance and allow meaning to unfold in its own time, with a sense of ease.

https://www.ramloet.com/

@ramloet

Yumi McLean

Yumi Mclean is an award-winning, Japanese-born ceramic artist now based in Canterbury. Since she moved to Aotearoa New Zealand, Yumi has focussed on hand-built sculptures of items used in everyday life, both in New Zealand and Japan. Yumi’s sculptures inspire senses of nostalgia and surprise.

@yumimclean

Studio 3

Kat Stefanova

Kat is a Bulgarian-born artist based in Christchurch, known for vibrant interpretations of the New Zealand landscape. Her paintings “glow” with colour, capturing not just the look of a place but its atmosphere and emotion. With a background in fine art and graphic design, Kat blends traditional painting techniques with modern compositions.

https://www.katstefanova.com/

@art.stefanova.kat

Rachel Huston

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours in Painting. She is inspired by the plants of Aotearoa New Zealand, indigenous and introduced. Blooms and floral patterns intertwine in her paintings, which explore interconnection and celebrate resilience and hope.

http://www.rachelhustonart.com/

@rachelhustonart

Studio 4

Viktoria Karaman

Viktoria Karaman, known as MOONVI, is a fibre and object artist based in Christchurch. She combines vibrant colours and organic textures to create mesmerising, tactile artworks. Drawing inspiration from the rhythms of nature, Viktoria “paints” with yarn, transforming simple fibres and pre-loved materials into flowing, intricate designs that encourage close observation and meditative engagement.

http://www.moonvi.art/

@moonvi.art

Studio 5

Linelle Stacey

Linelle Stacey is a full-time artist working in acrylics, oils, and pastels painting mostly South Island landscapes. Her work revels in the colours and textures of Aotearoa, particularly the effects of a low sun on sea, hills, and mountains, striving to capture the clarity and colour of the scenery in those brief, surreal minutes before the sun drops below the horizon.

https://www.linellestacey.com/

Eszter Luca

Eszter Luca is a Christchurch-based artist inspired by the natural beauty of Aotearoa. Her work explores native birdlife, florals, colour, light, and layered acrylic techniques, often incorporating subtle gold/copper details that shift with changing light. Alongside her original paintings, she creates bespoke bridal bouquet artworks; personal commissions that transform meaningful flowers into timeless, hand painted artworks.

https://www.eszterlucaart.co.nz/

@eszterlucaart

Studio 6

Charlie Lattimore

Charlie Lattimore is the owner and jeweller at Jewellery by Design NZ, working closely with clients to create one-of-a-kind jewellery, engagement rings, and meaningful remodels. What began as a fascination with gemstones has developed into a design-led practice focused on proportion, wearability, and craftsmanship.

https://jewellerybydesignnz.com/

@jbd.nz

Studio 7

Alexandra van Dyk

Alexandra’s work explores presence — the energy felt in fleeting moments. Through the direct intimacy of a face or the layered movement of paint, her pieces seek connection. Working in acrylic, graphite, and coloured pencil, she creates intuitive, process-led works rooted in the complex beauty of everyday life.

https://www.alexandravandyk.com/about/

@alexandra.vandyk.art

Caroline Kelly

Caroline Kelly discovered her passion for art at a young age, focusing on portraits and the human form. Self-taught until 2019, Caroline embraced Atelier training to master oil, watercolour, and classical drawing. In 2020, a health crisis caused amnesia and motor skill challenges, with Caroline losing her artistic ability. After recovering, she found mentorship with Michelle Dunaway and was guided back to her artistic roots. Inspired by her healing journey, Caroline aims to share the therapeutic power of art, fostering creativity and connection. Caroline now travels the world, creating, gathering inspiration & teaching workshops.

https://www.carolinekellyfineart.com/

@carolinekellyfineart

Shell Xie

Shell Xie, practicing as The Botan, is a fabric and bead artist based in Christchurch. She combines embroidery and felt with a playful sense of character to create charming, storied artworks. Drawing inspiration from her East Asian heritage and her adopted home of Christchurch, Shell "sculpts" with needle and thread, transforming felt and beads into a herd of embroidered horses, each with its own spirit and story.

@thebotan_chch

Thank you to our funders and supporters

Many individuals and organisations have made the artists' studios possible:

Boost Ōtautahi

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi

Rātā Foundation

Creative New Zealand

WALK Christchurch

Friends of the Arts Centre

Stout Trust, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)