Porirua artists and curators are being invited to submit proposals for a new round of public art installations in the city centre.
Porirua City Council says the three large lightboxes in Te Manawa will showcase new works in the 2026-27 exhibition cycle, with applications closing on March 27.
The steel-and-glass lightboxes, each about 3 metres tall, were installed in 2022 and run from Hagley Street through to Ferry Place. The displays are designed to bring art into everyday public spaces outside the traditional gallery setting.
Artist Sherridan Kanavatoa, whose work Don’t Touch My Hair was featured in one of the lightboxes in 2023, said having work shown in such a visible location had been meaningful.
“Having the opportunity to show a body of work in my hometown has been like a love letter to home and to pursuing a creative career,” Kanavatoa said.
“Porirua is full of creative innovators, so I can’t wait to see whose work is installed next.”
Pātaka Art + Museum director Ana Sciascia said the lightboxes were placed prominently to help make art part of daily life in the city.
“They make art accessible to everyone in their daily lives,” Sciascia said. “It’s been wonderful having Sherridan’s work exhibited, she has such an exciting future.”
The council says proposals should include an exhibition concept and themes, images showing how the work would look in place, details on how the art connects to the site and audience, information about the curator and artist, and examples of previous work.
Applications must be submitted as a PDF by email to [email protected].
The deadline is March 27.