The exhibition, called CASTOMANIAC, ran from 5 to 11 October at Rice Pudding, Artists 24.7 and Subculture. It brought together work by children from Northland, Te Aro, Lyall Bay, St Patrick’s and Holy Cross schools.

Inspired by British artist Cornelia Parker, the children explored how ordinary objects could be taken apart, transformed and given new meaning through sculpture.

Some creations were small enough to fit inside matchboxes, while others involved suspended objects, light and installations made from familiar materials.

At Rice Pudding, on Constable Street, sculptures by 890 young artists were brought together in an exhibition exploring the personal significance of everyday objects.

The children were asked to consider a simple question: “What is the most significant thing you’ve collected that fits in your hand?”

Their responses became the starting point for artworks that visitors could explore, including miniature sculptures hidden inside matchboxes that could be opened to reveal their contents.

Further along Riddiford Street, Northland School pupils presented an exhibition at Artists 24.7 that explored the process of making art, including experiments, remakes and unsuccessful attempts alongside completed sculptures.

A third exhibition took the form of a window display at Subculture, bringing the children’s artwork into another part of Newtown’s shopping area.

The project went beyond giving children an opportunity to exhibit their work. Pupils were also involved in curating and designing the displays, while some children and their caregivers took responsibility for welcoming visitors and explaining the artworks.

This gave the young artists a direct role in deciding how their work would be presented to the public, rather than simply making sculptures for adults to arrange.

The project was supported by City Gallery Wellington and developed in partnership with Newtown Heart, with funding support from the TG Macarthy Trust and Hynds Foundation.

CASTOMANIAC also formed part of the celebrations surrounding the reopening of City Gallery Wellington at Te Ngākau Civic Square on 10 October, following renovation and strengthening work.

The gallery reopened with a major exhibition by Parker, whose internationally recognised sculptures and installations frequently involve breaking, crushing, suspending and reconstructing everyday objects.

Her exhibition, the first solo public gallery presentation of her work in New Zealand, features more than 50 artworks and runs until 7 March 2027.

For the Wellington schoolchildren involved in CASTOMANIAC, the project provided an opportunity to have their artwork exhibited in public galleries alongside the city’s wider contemporary arts programme.

The celebration runs from 6.30pm to 10pm, with live music, DJs, food and an opportunity to look inside the refurbished gallery.

Visitors should enter from Victoria Street, where Wellington band Niko Ne Zna will perform in Te Ngākau Civic Square.

The evening’s entertainment includes Ügly Disco at 6.30pm, BIRDPARTY at 8pm and Benny Salvador at 9pm. Food will be available to buy, along with drinks from a cash bar.

Entry is free, and the exhibition spaces will be open throughout the evening, although the gallery has cautioned that Friday’s celebration is not intended as a quiet opportunity to view the art. The event listing does not specify advance booking.

The reopening marks the return of one of Wellington’s main cultural venues following extensive earthquake strengthening and refurbishment.

Work has included strengthening internal walls, replacing heating and ventilation systems, installing new exhibition walls and upgrading accessible toilets.

During the closure, City Gallery continued presenting exhibitions at other venues around Wellington.

Gallery director Charlotte Davy said its return was important for the city.

“Our city has missed this platform for art and discussion,” she said.

The gallery reopens for regular visiting on Saturday 10 October with a major exhibition by British artist Cornelia Parker, featuring more than 50 works spread across the building.

Parker is known for transforming ordinary objects into large-scale artworks, often by crushing, breaking or dismantling them and then creating something new from the remains.

One of her best-known installations, Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View, features the fragments of a garden shed that was blown apart and then suspended around a light.

The exhibition includes sculpture, photography, film and installations spanning more than four decades of her career.

Unlike Friday’s free party, the Cornelia Parker exhibition is ticketed. Admission costs $25 for adults, $22 for concessions and $2 for children, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.

The exhibition runs until 7 March 2027.

Parker will also take part in a public conversation with co-curator Andrea Schlieker at the Harbourside Function Venue, 4 Taranaki Street, on Saturday at 4pm. This is a separate ticketed event.

City Gallery will open daily from 10am to 5pm, with late opening until 9pm on Thursdays.

The gallery’s new café, Āta, opens on Wednesday 14 October.