New arts directory to celebrate Nelson Tasman’s diverse voices

An online arts directory celebrating the creativity of black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) artists is set to launch in Nelson.

Their Arts Journey, a platform developed by Cultural Conversations with support from Creative New Zealand, will officially go live on October 2 following a community celebration at Nelson’s Godzilla Recycled Clothing store.

Peruvian artist Lucia Zúñiga Cáceres, who will be featured in the new Their Arts Journey online directory, said Cultural Conversations had opened doors to a “beautiful community where goals can be achieved”.Tatsiana Chypsanava/Supplied

Cultural Conversations creative director Tanya Nock said the project was designed to connect BIPOC artists with audiences, venues, galleries, councils and businesses, while giving them “a digital home to showcase their creative work”.

The work of BIPOC artists was often overlooked in mainstream spaces, and the directory was born from a recognition of the barriers many artists face, Nock said.

Cultural Conversations, launched in 2019, had become a vital hub for former refugees, migrants, and underserved communities in Nelson and offered social enterprise opportunities.

“Many of the artists we work with are incredibly talented but often unseen in dominant arts spaces,” she said.

Their Arts Journey was about “ensuring their creativity is valued, visible, and celebrated – not as an add-on”, but as a vital part of the arts community in Aotearoa.

The directory would feature artists from tangata whenua as well as cultural groups spanning Argentina, China, Europe, Peru and Sri Lanka.

Over time, it would expand to include more creators across Nelson Tasman and beyond, highlighting practices from visual arts and craft to music and cultural storytelling.

The project was shaped through community-led co-design and supported by photography from award-winning documentary photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava, and design work by Kate Garnyk.

Spanish singer-songwriter Laura Pensado (centre), a member of band ImmigranNZ Collective, will also feature in the directory.Tatsiana Chypsanava/Supplied

Outreach campaigns would further boost the visibility of participating artists, with Cultural Conversations also commissioning and hosting events to strengthen collaboration.

For many involved, the project represented “both recognition and connection”, Nock said.

Lucia Zúñiga Cáceres, a Peruvian artist in the directory, said Cultural Conversations had opened doors to “a beautiful community where goals can be achieved”.

“Their Arts Journey is not only a platform to support a spotlight on my work but a place to connect and be inspired by others.”

Spanish singer-songwriter Laura Pensado, a member of band ImmigranNZ Collective, called it a space where they feel seen, heard, and genuinely welcomed by the community.

“This support not only uplifts our music but also honours the diverse stories we carry.”

Source: Nina Hindmarsh, Nelson Mail