Inside Inverlochy Art School: A Creative Community in the Heart of Wellington
You don’t need to think of yourself as an artist to start making art. At Inverlochy Art School, creativity is something to explore, practise and enjoy, whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or returning to art after years away.
Tucked away in Te Aro, Inverlochy Art School has been part of Wellington’s creative community since 1987. Guided by a belief in art for art’s sake, the school encourages students to explore new ideas, enjoy creative freedom and develop their own artistic voice.
Its programme includes drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, animation and more, with options for beginners as well as experienced artists.
You’re probably more creative than you think
For many adults, one of the biggest hurdles is simply believing they are creative enough to join an art class.
The Inverlochy team sees creativity much more broadly. Someone who loves gardening may already have an eye for composition, colour and texture. An interest in fashion involves creative decisions too, while people who enjoy working with their hands might discover a natural connection with ceramics.
“Creativity shows up in all sorts of ways.”
They also challenge the idea that good art should come effortlessly. Making art, they say, is much like learning to cook or trying a new sport. It takes practice, experimentation and an acceptance that not every attempt will be a success.
For adults in particular, letting go of the fear of getting things wrong can be an important part of the experience.
“Watching children make art is a joy because they simply dive in without worrying whether they'll get it right. As adults, we're often much more cautious and afraid of making mistakes. Learning to let go of that fear is one of the most valuable things you'll gain at Inverlochy.”
There is plenty of practical learning too. Tutors introduce techniques and principles in manageable, step-by-step lessons, giving students structure while they build confidence and explore their own creativity.
What can beginners expect?
Inverlochy offers beginner-friendly options across drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, animation and collage, as well as shorter workshops for people who want to try something new.
The school describes the experience simply:
“Expect friendly, encouraging tutors and a welcoming community.”
Students arrive with different backgrounds, interests and levels of experience.
“You'll meet people from all walks of life, each with their own reason for being here—from complete beginners discovering their creative confidence to experienced artists seeking fresh ideas, new techniques and the company of fellow makers.”
For beginner classes, Inverlochy says students are guided through approachable exercises that introduce the materials, techniques and goals of the class, with a clear focus on learning by doing.
“Expect to learn something new, have plenty of fun, and to perhaps make a little bit of mess!”
Learning art inside a historic Wellington home
The setting is a big part of Inverlochy’s character.
Classes take place inside Inverlochy House, a Victorian mansion designed by Wellington architect Thomas Turnbull and built for the Macdonald family between 1877 and 1878.
In 1979, the building faced demolition as part of plans for a seven-storey hotel. Residents of the house and other locals campaigned to save it, and in 1980 it was presented to the city for use in the arts.
Art courses followed, and Inverlochy Art School was formally launched in 1987.
The team describes stepping inside as a kind of reset:
“Walking into Inverlochy House feels a bit like pressing a reset button. Whatever kind of day you've had, stepping through those sturdy front doors feels like taking a deep breath and starting again.”
The building carries decades of creative history too.
“It's a real privilege to work in such a special place. The beautiful heritage architecture is inspiring in itself, but it's the creative history held within these walls that makes Inverlochy truly unique.”
Among the artists connected with the school is celebrated New Zealand artist John Drawbridge, who taught at Inverlochy during the 1990s and helped shape its printmaking tradition.
“Knowing that generations of artists have worked, learned and shared their knowledge in these rooms gives the house a creative energy that's hard to describe but easy to feel.”
Inverlochy also runs a Community Gallery with an ongoing exhibition programme, so students are surrounded by new work and fresh sources of inspiration.
From a beginners’ class to a first solo exhibition
One story that captures what can grow from joining a class is that of long-time Inverlochy student Sarah Hume.
Sarah had always been creative, but after leaving high school she found it difficult to make space for art in her life. After returning from her OE, her family encouraged her to reconnect with it, and she signed up for a beginners’ painting class with Christine Gregory.
Thirteen years later, she is still painting under Christine’s guidance, now in her Keep on Painting class for advanced students.
Painting has become a central part of Sarah’s life. Her work is inspired by movement, light and the shapes and colours of nature, with water appearing as a recurring subject.
In 2025, Inverlochy hosted Sarah’s first solo exhibition in its Community Gallery. Friends, whānau and classmates came together for the opening, celebrating both her work and the years she had spent developing it.
The exhibition gave her a confidence boost, and she has since approached other galleries and sold work through new spaces.
Her story began with something much simpler: signing up for a beginners’ painting class.
Finding the creative bug
Not everyone who joins Inverlochy is aiming for an exhibition, of course.
When asked what they hope students take away beyond artistic skills, the team had a simple answer:
“The creative bug! There are so many ways to make art and once you discover the joy of making, it's hard to stop.”
There is another part of the experience they hope stays with people too:
“We also hope that along the way, you'll create great memories, friendships and a sense of belonging in our creative community.”
That sense of community fits naturally with Inverlochy’s history. The building itself survived because people came together to save it, and almost four decades after the school opened, it continues to bring people together through art.
Not sure where to begin?
For someone discovering Inverlochy for the first time, the school recommends Anyone Can Draw.
Drawing is a foundational skill that supports many visual art forms, and the course is designed to help students observe what they see and communicate ideas on paper.
The class is taught by Denise Durkin, who has a long connection with Inverlochy and teaches drawing and life drawing at the school.
Inverlochy describes her as an artist who continually experiments with materials, techniques and processes and encourages students to approach art with that same curiosity.
One former participant put it this way:
“The course was amazing. It could have been quite intimidating as a complete novice, but Denise went out of her way to make sure everyone felt comfortable tackling drawing through simple exercises and always found something positive to say about our work each week. The atmosphere was lovely, and I'm thoroughly missing my weekly class.”
You don’t need to arrive knowing whether you’re artistic. You just need to be curious enough to try.
