Artists
We are looking for imaginative minds to bring our bee sculptures to life for Mills Albert Bee in the City. Whether you are an established artist, emerging talent, or creating art in your own unique way, we would love to see your vision. We welcome designs from all cultural backgrounds, artistic traditions, and lived experiences.
Design a buzz-worthy masterpiece!
We will soon have 30+ giant, blank bee sculptures, ready to be transformed into works of art that will captivate thousands of visitors. The trail goes live in Spring 2026, with all sculptures later auctioned to raise vital funds for Life Flight Trust, supporting lifesaving aeromedical care across New Zealand.
Commissioned artists will:
- Receive an honorarium of $2,000 upon completing your artwork
- Have your design seen by thousands across Wellington and beyond
- Be celebrated on our website, interactive trail app, printed map, media coverage, and social channels
- Connect with fellow artists in our creative hub and network with local organisations
Artist Timeline
- December 2025 – February 2026 – Open Call for Artist Submissions
- 20 March 2026 – Finalists Commissioned
- 1 April – 14 June 2026 – Artist Painting Period
- September – November 2026 – Trail Live
Your benefits
- Honourarium – $2,000 on completion of your sculpture
- Acknowledgement – featured on the trail, app, printed map, website, media coverage, and social channels
- Collaboration & Networking – join fellow creatives in the hub and connect with local organisations
- Creative Expression – a chance to share your artistic voice, celebrate culture, or highlight personal stories
- Flexible Participation – opportunities for solo or collaborative designs, and painting in studio or hub spaces
“Everyone wins – the sponsor gets recognition, the artist gets paid, the public get free art and the auction raises money for a good cause.”
— Anne Guest, Wild in Art Artist
Frequently Asked Questions
No – emerging artists are welcome, but the sculpture must meet a high standard to dazzle visitors and perform well at auction.
We welcome all mediums – traditional, new media, fine art, graffiti, illustration, and Māori or other culturally inspired art forms. Designs must be suitable for public display to a broad audience, including children.
- No religious, political, or sexual content
- No corporate logos or advertising
- No copyrighted characters or celebrity likenesses
Yes – up to three designs per artist. Please consider your workload if multiple designs are selected.
Life Flight will provide a dedicated artists space in Wellington. Artists are also welcome to use their own studios if preferred. Please note, however, that additional costs may apply for transporting the sculpture to your location.
Designs should respect tikanga Māori and acknowledge mana whenua where cultural elements are used. Consultation with mana whenua is encouraged for culturally significant designs.
Artist submissions will open on 1st December 2025.
In the meantime, join our mailing list to bee the first to know.
