A Walk in the Park by Catherine Macdonald, 2026

Shopfront Canvas was a public art initiative delivered by Whanganui District Council to transform vacant shopfronts in the town centre into vibrant artworks by local creatives.

Catherine Macdonald’s practice has branched out from printmaking to include, bookbinding, drawing, writing and furniture making. This digital image collages her distinctive pencil and watercolour drawings into a larger piece. The artist explains, “…with this work I wanted to create a joyful reminder of playing in Kowhai Park and celebrate the city’s beautiful gardens. My goal was to create a piece that not only catches the passerby’s eye but also ignites a sense of wonder and encourages connection.”

A Walk in the Park features the familiar and much-beloved Kowhai Park inhabitants with punny phrases retelling classic nursery rhymes and childhood stories. Alongside the playful characters perched in their usual setting, viewers are invited to find animals hidden amongst the delicate flowers and foliage. Can you spot any?