Can anyone give me a lead as to galleries or studios my husband and I can visit while we're in NZ? We will be in Auckland, Queenstown, Nelson, Rotorua, Christchurch and Milford Sound.

Bobbi,
You are in for a terific surprise...NZ is loaded with great contemporary art.
In Nelson make sure that you visit WOW gallery......wearable art. WOW also has a great gallery gift shop!!
Don't forget the BEAD shop in Nelson...I'm not a beader, but this little gem is wondefrful.

There are two publications that I picked up on our last trip to NZ.
Nelson Regional Guide Book...ISBN
0-473-06999-7
Otago Arts Guide....
ISBN 0-473-08054-0

Also if you haven't booked a place in Nelson...please check out Villa 10...an incredible apartment, with terrific views. A bonus....it is owned by Jenny Barraud, a well-known NZ textile artist....and is furnished with her lively work.

Both of the publications I mentioned are loaded with artists/studios to visit.

Geeze, can you tell I love NZ?
We are returning in May!!!

If you have any other questions...feel free to e-mail me. [email protected]

I would definitely choose the Nelson region as a focal point also. Spend a day (or more) around Golden Bay. There are many artists with open studios to visit. I recommend Christine Boswijk's amazing ceramics and Colin Coke's screenprints.

Check out http://www.nelsonarts.org.nz/ for more information.

Bobbi - You're visiting the right place - NZ is an arts and crafts wonderland.

Nelson and the surrounding area is a treasure trove. I second the suggestion of the WOW complex - we visited there last September and it was alot of fun.

Here are some more sites that might help:

http://www.artscalendar.co.nz/
http://www.artists.co.nz/
http://www.zeroland.co.nz/newz.html

Forgot - you mentioned glass, so you might be interested in this studio near Nelson:

www.hoglund.co.nz

Thanks all for the leads. We are really excited about this trip! Five weeks in NZ and Aus doesn't seem like enough.

Anyone want to give us some fine arts help in Australia?