The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square

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Reviews

1. Lynn Taylor ★★★★★

   Went with my 4 year old granddaughter specifically for the children’s area. This is an amazing space, a segue into appreciating art, confirmed by her excited announcement “We went to the Art Gallery” as well as making her colouring pages into a book. What a wonderful space where play and art interact, with opportunities to dress up and draw costumes alongside real costumes and sketches from the NZ Royal Ballet. Poignant to come across Blair Smith’s Visible Panty Line, remembered as a superb jeweller and tutor at Dunedin School of Art.

   almost 7 months ago
2. Warren Lewthwaite ★★★★★

   Visited the Cafe and exhibitions today. The Cafe food and coffee was top quality, and the exhibition spaces are well set out. The art works were suitably challenging, made us think and ponder, which good art should do! Highly recommend a visit.

   almost 9 months ago
3. Thenuga Balakumar ★★★★★

   Good meeting rooms with WiFi. Relaxing environment.

   almost 10 months ago

1. Peter K ★★★★☆

   The Dowse Art Museum, located in Lower Hutt, is a vibrant hub of contemporary creativity and cultural expression. This dynamic institution showcases a diverse range of artworks, spanning mediums, styles, and perspectives. With a commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation, The Dowse is a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. These images offer a glimpse into the compelling exhibitions and installations that grace its walls, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a world of artistic exploration and inspiration.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Alison Viskovic ★★★★★

   Current big show: it was really good to see so many things I remembered from many visits over the years. I think it would be a really good idea to repeat a grand showing like this every 7-8 years, so that we can see again the images/objects that we enjoy but that disappear after an exhibition closes. I know researchers can find them on a catalogue and ask to see them, but the public don't usually do that!

   almost 2 years ago
3. Sam Rowe ★★★★★

   Love the Dowse. Always changing, beautifully themed spaces. The cafe is pretty good too!

   almost 2 years ago

1. Tom Huthwaite ★★★★★

   'Rainscreen' by @athfieldarchitects & artist Simon Morris is a bold urban façade of aluminium, giving @thedowse a distinctive visual identity - with thousands of diamond-shaped perforations creating ever-changing shadows. But we didn't realise until recently that the design also contributes to the energy efficiency of the building, with moveable panels designed to manage solar heat! In fact, the extensive 2006 makeover of our 1971 Dowse Art Museum is part of a larger vision of sustainability & a happy hybrid of artistic expression with eco-friendly design - including 3kilowatt solar panels & 'Rock Store', the first heating & cooling system of its kind in NZ, using Wairarapa river stones to hold in the heat or cold.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Louise Hutt ★★★★★

   We went to The Dowse yesterday for the first time - recommended to us as a must-do in the Wellington region by friends and I would definitely agree with them! The staff were very helpful, pointing us to the best route to experience the Dowse, and also holding our umbrella (and making sure we didn't leave it behind!). The exhibitions were interesting, fun, humourous, and thought-provoking. It was a wonderful mix of visceral experiences (Chromaflage, and My River Goes With Me) as well as our history and aspirations for the future (Nuku Tewhatewha, and Māori Moving Image ki Te Awakairangi) and just a general good old giggle (Droop). Really enjoyable, and appreciated the two EV chargers in the carpark too.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Wladimir Padilla ★★★★★

   Really nice, modern and spacious museum. Truly enjoyed "Terminus", the virtual reality exhibition that mixes kinetic art and a surreal trip experience. Totally recommend it.

   almost 5 years ago

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