Most visitors to the Waikato stick to the obvious route: Hamilton Gardens, the Waikato Museum, maybe a river walk. The ones who seek out Inspirit Studio and Gallery in Tamahere are making a different kind of choice – and they consistently describe it as one of the best art experiences they have had anywhere in New Zealand.
Inspirit Studio and Gallery is located at 360 Pencarrow Road, RD3, Tamahere, Hamilton 3283 – a rural address approximately halfway between Hamilton and Cambridge, roughly five minutes from Hamilton Airport. This is not a city gallery. The setting is a purpose-built gallery on a working farm, framed by panoramic views of Pirongia and Maungatautari, surrounded by the kind of landscape that makes you understand why New Zealand artists keep painting and photographing it.
The gallery was established in 2007 by Jenny Scown, who serves as owner, director, and curator – and who is also a practising photographic artist exhibiting her own work at Inspirit alongside the artists she selects. This dual role as maker and curator gives the gallery a particular quality: every piece on the walls has been chosen by someone who understands from the inside what it takes to produce work of genuine quality.
TripAdvisor reviewers rate Inspirit highly and repeatedly describe it as a “must see” and “hidden gem.” One reviewer wrote: “Situated half way between Hamilton and Cambridge this large purpose-built Art Gallery is a MUST SEE. A wide range of well-known NZ painters, sculptures, jewellery, native timber furniture, and ceramics with much, much more.“
What Makes Inspirit Different from Every Other Gallery in the Waikato
Three things distinguish Inspirit from both the urban galleries in Hamilton city and the standard commercial gallery model:
The setting is genuinely extraordinary. You are standing in a rural landscape looking at world-class New Zealand art, with mountain views on multiple sides. The gallery building itself was purpose-built rather than converted or inherited from a previous use – it was designed to be a gallery from the ground up, which shows in the quality of the natural light, the ceiling height, and the flow between interior and exterior spaces.
The curation is personal and consistent. Jenny Scown selects every single piece on display. This is not a committee decision or a rent-the-walls model – it is one curator’s considered vision of what outstanding New Zealand art and design looks like. That consistency of eye is what transforms a gallery from a collection of objects into an experience.
The outdoor sculpture garden is a destination in itself. Walking through the garden at Inspirit, with sculpture set against the rural landscape and mountain backdrop, is one of those experiences that is genuinely difficult to replicate anywhere else in the Waikato.
What You Will Find Inside
Inspirit exhibits across an unusually broad range of mediums, all of which must meet the gallery’s standard of quality: photography, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolour), printmaking, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textile art, wearable art, indoor and outdoor sculpture, furniture in native timber, mixed media, and woodwork.
Photography – Jenny Scown’s own fine art limited edition prints are exhibited at Inspirit and at other Waikato galleries. Her photographic work reflects the natural landscape and has been well-received critically. The gallery also exhibits the work of featured photographer Ian Preece, whose images of the Coromandel Peninsula have featured in the collection.
Glass Art – Jill Matthew Glass, whose rainbow and ombre works appear in the collection, produces pieces that bring immediate vibrancy to the gallery walls. The Rainbow, Ombre Eye, and Glacial Flow works are among the most visually striking pieces regularly on display.
Painting – The gallery’s own description of its painting collection reflects the breadth: “Fundamentally I am a colourist. My paintings are an emotional reflection of memories of a lifetime” – a quote from one of the contributing artists that captures the gallery’s curatorial direction toward emotionally resonant, technically accomplished work.
Ceramics and Jewellery – Functional and decorative ceramics sit alongside fine jewellery, both selected for quality and originality rather than commercial appeal.
Sculpture – The outdoor sculpture garden is one of the gallery’s most photographed features. Sculptures ranging from abstract forms to figurative work are set throughout the garden, changing with each exhibition cycle and responding to the rural landscape around them.
The Mission: Supporting New Zealand Artists
The Inspirit mission as stated on the official website is specific and consistent: “To support and promote highest quality original New Zealand art and design with an emphasis on representing leading local artists.”
This is not a gallery that exhibits mass-produced prints or imported reproductions. Every piece is original, NZ-made, and selected to the standard that Jenny Scown has upheld since the gallery opened in 2007. The combination of rigorous curation and breadth of medium means that artists working in very different traditions – from fine art photography to ceramic sculpture – are exhibited side by side at the same standard.
For artists, Inspirit represents a serious exhibiting opportunity in a high-quality gallery environment with genuine visitor foot traffic drawn by the gallery’s national reputation. Proposals from artists can be sent directly to the gallery for consideration.
Workshops and Events
Inspirit hosts workshops, events, and creative experiences throughout the open season. These range from artist talks and demonstrations to practical art-making sessions in the studio space. The multifunctional creative space within the gallery building accommodates group activities as well as private visits, making it a viable option for corporate group experiences, art-focused day trips, and school visits.
For upcoming events and workshop dates, follow @InspiritGallery on Instagram or check the gallery website at inspirit.co.nz for the current season programme.
Important: Winter Closure
Inspirit Gallery operates seasonally and closes for a winter break annually. The Facebook page confirmed the winter closure in a recent post. Before planning a visit, check the gallery’s website or Facebook page to confirm the current season is open, as the winter break timing varies slightly year to year.
During the open season, the gallery operates Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm.
Getting There
Inspirit is a destination gallery – you drive to it rather than stumbling across it while walking. From Hamilton CBD, take State Highway 1 south toward Cambridge and follow signage to Tamahere and Pencarrow Road. From Hamilton Airport, the gallery is approximately a five-minute drive. From Cambridge town centre, the gallery is also very close.
Parking is available on-site. The rural setting means the approach to the gallery is part of the experience – the transition from highway to country road to the gallery’s property genuinely sets the scene for what is inside.
Opening Hours and Location
- Note: Inspirit closes for an annual winter break. Always check inspirit.co.nz or Facebook @InspiritGallery before visiting.
- Address: 360 Pencarrow Road, RD3, Tamahere, Hamilton 3283 (between Hamilton and Cambridge, 5 min from Hamilton Airport)
- Phone: 07 856 3170
- Website: inspirit.co.nz
- Instagram: @InspiritGallery
- Admission: Free
For visitors combining Inspirit with other Waikato destinations, the Tamahere Country Market runs monthly nearby and pairs well with a gallery visit. For more of Hamilton’s art and gallery scene in the city centre, ArtsPost Galleries and Shop on Victoria Street and the Waikato Museum are the complementary urban picks.
FAQs About Inspirit Studio and Gallery
Where is Inspirit Studio and Gallery located?
Inspirit is at 360 Pencarrow Road, RD3, Tamahere, Hamilton 3283 – a rural setting between Hamilton and Cambridge, approximately five minutes from Hamilton Airport. It is not in Hamilton city centre.
Who founded Inspirit Gallery and when?
Inspirit Studio and Gallery was established in 2007 by Jenny Scown, who is the owner, director, curator, and a contributing photographic artist. Jenny personally selects every piece on display in the gallery.
Is Inspirit Gallery free to enter?
Yes. Entry to Inspirit Studio and Gallery is free. Works are available for purchase.
What are Inspirit Gallery’s opening hours?
Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm during the open season. Inspirit closes for an annual winter break – check inspirit.co.nz or their Facebook page before visiting to confirm the gallery is currently open.
What types of art are on display at Inspirit Gallery?
Photography, painting, printmaking, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textile art, wearable art, indoor and outdoor sculpture, native timber furniture, mixed media, and woodwork – all original, all NZ-made, all personally selected by Jenny Scown.
Can I submit a proposal to exhibit at Inspirit Gallery?
Yes. Artists are welcome to submit exhibition proposals for consideration. Contact Jenny Scown at the gallery via inspirit.co.nz. All work is assessed against the gallery’s standard of outstanding New Zealand art and design.
