The Feilding and District Art Society at 104 Manchester Street is the established community art organisation for the Feilding and wider Manawatu rural district, about 20 minutes drive north of Palmerston North. The society was founded in 1969 and today has over 150 members, with a dedicated two-storey gallery hosting rotating exhibitions every three weeks alongside a shop of handmade local products.
The society began with annual exhibitions in the Feilding Little Theatre. The Feilding Arts and Crafts Guild later leased a small gallery upstairs in Turners Gift and Luggage shop, before the society moved into its current Manchester Street home as a central point for Feilding artistic activity.
Practical Information
| Location | 104 Manchester Street, Feilding |
| Distance from Palmerston North | About 20 km north, 20-25 min drive |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Membership | Over 150 members |
| Exhibitions | Rotating every three weeks; members and invited artists |
| Building | Two-storey: gallery upstairs, shop downstairs with handmade local products |
| Annual event | Manawatu Art Expo (the society also hosts this) |
About the Society
The Feilding and District Art Society was founded in 1969 by a small group of passionate local artists. The society initially operated out of the Feilding Little Theatre, holding annual exhibitions of members’ artworks there each year until 2004.
Some artists wanted the chance to exhibit and sell their works through the year, not just at the annual show, and from that an offshoot called the Feilding Arts and Crafts Guild leased a small gallery upstairs in Turners Gift and Luggage shop in central Feilding. The society’s current home at 104 Manchester Street consolidates the exhibition and shop functions into a single dedicated two-storey building.
The society now has over 150 members spanning beginner to established practitioner. Exhibitions rotate every three weeks, displaying work by both emerging and established members alongside invited shows. The shop carries handmade local products from members, providing direct retail for member work alongside the changing gallery shows.
Combining With Other Feilding Stops
The Art Society sits within easy walking distance of central Feilding attractions. The Friday Feilding Saleyards livestock auction (one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere) runs in central Feilding, and is a recognised visitor draw. Add coffee on Manchester Street and the Coach House Museum for a comfortable half-day from Palmerston North.
For walking, Mt Lees Reserve west of Feilding gives a short native-bush stop. The Manawatu NZ tourism site lists current Feilding events worth combining with an Art Society visit.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors and members describe the society as a welcoming small-town arts community with consistently high-quality work for a regional society. The three-weekly exhibition rotation keeps the displays fresh, and the shop of handmade local products gets specific mentions from people who use it for gifts. Coverage on the Coastal Arts Trail puts it among the recognised arts stops of the wider region.
Practical observations: opening hours can vary because the gallery is volunteer-staffed; calling ahead is sensible if you are making a special trip; combine the visit with the Friday Saleyards or Manchester Street browsing rather than as a stand-alone destination; check the society site for current exhibitions and the Manawatu Art Expo dates.
Where to Learn More
Feilding Art Society official site: current exhibitions, member info, shop, and Manawatu Art Expo details.
Manawatu NZ tourism: Feilding Art Society: tourism listing with visitor information.
Coastal Arts Trail: Feilding and District Art Society: regional arts trail listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Feilding Art Society?
104 Manchester Street in central Feilding, about 20 minutes drive north of Palmerston North.
When was it founded?
1969. The society initially operated from the Feilding Little Theatre, holding annual exhibitions there until 2004.
How many members?
Over 150.
How often do exhibitions change?
Rotating every three weeks. Members’ work alongside invited shows.
Is the gallery free to enter?
Yes, gallery entry is typically free; donations welcomed.
Can I buy artwork?
Yes. Member work is sold through the rotating exhibitions, and the downstairs shop carries handmade local products from members.
What else can I do in Feilding the same day?
Combine with the Friday Feilding Saleyards livestock auction, the Coach House Museum, Manchester Street browsing, or a walk at Mt Lees Reserve.
For more art venues, see the historical and cultural sites hub or day trips from Palmerston North.