WELLINGTON, 27 February 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand, led by Ambassador Kira Christianne D. Azucena, attended the opening night of the Wellington Art Show on 27 February 2026 at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre to support participating Filipino artist JM Beltran.

Mr. Beltran is the sole Filipino artist featured in this year’s Wellington Art Show and the first Filipino artist to do so in the show’s history. His featured works depict New Zealand's landscapes, including expansive mountain vistas, tranquil coastal scenes, and striking night skies, as well as the diverse wildlife of Aotearoa.

JM Beltran is a landscape and nature photographer whose work has earned international recognition. He was a finalist in the Australian Photographer of the Year 2024, The Landscape Awards 2025, and Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographer 2024. He also received a Silver Award at the NZIPP Iris Awards, among other distinctions that further build on his reputation as a seasoned contemporary artist.

The Wellington Art Show is a premier annual exhibition showcasing the rich creativity of New Zealand’s artistic community. Hosted at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event brings together works from over 120 artists, featuring a wide variety of mediums including paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and more. With more than 5,000 pieces on display, the show caters to art enthusiasts of all backgrounds and budgets, offering a range of prices from affordable to premium.

Visitors to the exhibition can experience live artist demonstrations, engage with creators in person, and attend prestigious award ceremonies such as the Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Award and the Lawson’s Dry Hills Pink People’s Choice Award. The Wellington Art Show 2026 runs from February 27 to March 1 and offers features like "buy now-pay later" purchasing options, artwork wrapping, and courier services to ensure accessibility for all attendees. END