Two vacant shopfronts to be canvases for creativity

Published on 21 January 2026

Local creatives will soon have the opportunity to submit original artwork to showcase in two vacant Victoria Avenue shopfronts, with submissions opening in late January.

Whanganui District Council is coordinating the initiative, in collaboration with Mainstreet Whanganui, who suggested art installations as a positive way to address concerns about the neglected shopfronts.

“The Shopfront Canvas project is a continuation of previous beautification work we’ve done in town centre windows but we’re opening it up for submissions this time which is exciting,” council community activator Anique Jayasinghe says.

“We can’t wait to see what local creatives conjure up.”

The call-out for proposals will be open for four weeks – from Monday, 26 January to Friday, 20 February – to allow ample time to submit artworks. 

“We’ve asked that submissions relate to the themes of ‘play’ or ‘our environment’ – this gives some guidance on what we’re looking for, so people don’t need to start with a blank canvas, so to speak.

“In saying that, the themes are open to interpretation, and we encourage those submitting proposals to think of what passersby might like to encounter while strolling down our main avenue,” Jayasinghe says.

The two artworks selected will be printed on vinyl and installed inside the shopfront windows, to be displayed indefinitely or until the property owner chooses to remove them for tenants.

To submit a proposal, read the brief and complete the proposal template on Whanganui District Council’s Shopfront Canvas webpage

“By March these empty windows will be transformed from overlooked to eye-catching, adding a fresh new element to our town that celebrates Whanganui’s creative talent,” Jayasinghe says.