Our Team - Arts Canterbury

Our Team

The role of the executive committee is to plan and organise Arts Canterbury run exhibitions, seminars, workshops and social events for the benefit of members of Arts Canterbury. The committee is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting and is made up from members of Arts Canterbury.

Jane Reid

Chairperson

Kia ora, my name is Jane Reid and I am a self taught artist who works mainly in oils. I am passionate about art and craft in all of its many forms and believe in the sanctity of creativity as a vital form of human expression. I have a lifelong love of painting and have a strong commitment to my own personal growth as an artist. I have a background in art theory, with a Bachelor and Postgraduate Diploma majoring in Art History, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching.

My journey with Arts Canterbury began in 2021 when I finally plucked up the courage to begin showing my work at exhibitions and became a member of AC soon afterwards – I am so glad I did! What a fabulous, supportive group of people!

I am delighted to be a part of the team and enjoy supporting the Arts Canterbury community as a committee member.

Ngā mihi mahana, Jane

Nikki Parker

Administrator, Membership Coordinator and Social Media

Nikki Parker, aka Absconditus Creations, experiments with a range of mediums and styles. She is currently on an illustration journey for the young, young at heart, and the slightly twisted. She works out of her studio near Rangiora.

Nikki joined Arts Canterbury in 2018 looking for an arts community to be a part of, she found her way on to the committee in 2020 after saying “Why doesn’t AC do…” too many times.

Nikki has been the membership coordinator since early 2020 and in charge of the administration and finance since mid 2020. 

Rose Rudd

Exhibitions Co Coordinator

After studying Visual Communication and Design at Wellington Design School for four years in the early 90’s, I moved back to Marlborough where I was born and bred and worked within the wine industry alongside working as a freelance graphic designer and computer graphics teacher at the local Polytech.  In 2009, I moved to North Canterbury with my farmer husband and four children.

I then took on the role of Editor and Publisher for Pastel Artists NZ for 8 years while practicing fine art in soft pastel and sat on the PANZ National Committee, resigning in 2023.

My style of painting leans towards atmospheric landscape and I am now enjoying the freedom of mixed media, painting in acrylics; watercolours; oils and cold wax, incorporating any mark making tool in my expressive abstracted work.

Mel Eaton

Exhibitions Co Coordinator

Kia ora, I’m Mel – an artist, designer, and community builder based in Rangiora, Waimakariri. As one of the Exhibitions Coordinators for Arts Canterbury, I’m here to support artists, help shape engaging exhibitions, and make the whole experience feel a little more connected, thoughtful, and fun.

In 2025, I founded Fold – a creative studio and community space dedicated to artistic exploration, shared learning, and inclusive collaboration. Fold is a home for creativity and meaningful connection, and I’m lucky to work alongside an incredible mix of artists, designers, and creatively curious folk. My work there includes curating exhibitions and cultivating a space where people feel safe to explore, express, and try new things. Stepping into this Exhibitions Coordinator role feels like a natural extension of what I love most about Fold…building platforms that celebrate creativity in all its forms.

My own creative practice is a colourful mix of studio work, freelance design, and public art. I spend my days painting/drawing/printmaking and helping artists and creative small businesses bring their visual identity to life through thoughtful brand design. You might also spot me out and about painting murals across Waimakariri, adding bold colour and a sense of identity to shared spaces.

Jo Wright

Workshops Coordinator

Originally from London and have lived in New Zealand for nearly 20 years. I have always loved urban / contemporary/ graffiti style art and started creating during the original Covid lockdown of 2020 when I was encouraged to try my hand at digital art / painting. I love illustration work and cartoons so I am looking to move more towards that direction in my paintings.

Expanding my techniques from digital to various other mediums has opened my eyes to the wider art community here in New Zealand and I was surprised at the warmth and sharing of knowledge amongst the Arts Canterbury group.

Sarah Beal

I am a self taught artist, I paint in three different styles – still life and my quirky ‘girlies’, but my main focus at the moment is creating mad abstract landscape paintings – primarily in oil. Making art is the thing that makes me happiest, though I do a whole bunch of other creative things as well – have done since I was a child. Am so glad to be a member of the AC committee – I have learnt so much since becoming a member and hope to help pass that onto up and coming creative people.

Sheelagh McHaffie

Sheelagh is a self taught artist living in Christchurch, specialising in moody, emotive artwork.

Sheelagh has gravitated to white pastel on black paper “drawing the light instead of the shadow”, inverting the way she perceives and creates art. Light, composition and negative space are all considered to make art that has an emotional connection with the audience. Returning to art in 2022 after a 20 year hiatus, Sheelagh is busy building a body of work and is just hitting her stride.

Excited to be a member of the committee for Arts Canterbury, giving back to a group that has been so instrumental in her artistic development, and so supportive of her journey.

3rd place Winner at the World Art Awards 2023 (in her category).
Finalist at the Auckland Art Battle June 2023
Featured Artist in the Aotearoa Artist Magazine (Oct/Nov 23)

Ashleigh Thompson

Ashleigh is the founder and owner of Ashe, a new contemporary art gallery and interior design studio in central Christchurch. With formal qualifications in Art History and Interior Design and a strong background in gallery management, she brings both artistic insight and practical experience to the space. After working with galleries in Wellington, she returned to Christchurch to establish Ashe, driven by a commitment to making New Zealand art accessible and supporting local creatives.

Her goal as a member of the Arts Canterbury Executive Committee is to extend this ethos – championing artists and makers across the region, fostering sustainable practices, and improving communication and support structures. In her committee role, Ashleigh will contribute through sponsorship and funding initiatives as well as assisting social media and website presence for Arts Canterbury. Her focus is on ensuring artists and arts organisations are supported, visible, and able to thrive.

Megan Prendergast

I’m a self-taught artist, and my creative practice is inspired by nature, gardens, and playful visual storytelling. I enjoy working with colour, detail, and pattern, and I bring that same creative lens to how Arts Canterbury shows up online and engages with its community.

I’m passionate about making the arts feel accessible, welcoming, and visible, and I’m excited to support a strong, connected creative community across Canterbury.