Jo Jago - Artist

Jo Jago is a New Zealand–based visual artist and art tutor whose work bridges watercolour, alcohol inks, printmaking, mixed media, ceramics, photography & more.

Splitting her time between Taieri Mouth, central Dunedin (The Imaginarium Studio), and Central Otago, Jo also travels to teach watercolour workshops around New Zealand and Australia, bringing her relaxed, encouraging approach to new communities.

Creative Journey

Jo’s path into art began during a challenging chapter in her life, when art became a source of quiet discovery. What started as personal experiments evolved into a lifelong practice. A defining moment came when a viewer was moved to tears by one of Jo’s watercolours - proof that genuine expression can reach across life’s divides.

Artistic Practice

• Watercolour and alcohol inks remain Jo’s primary mediums. They embrace unpredictability, balancing delicate washes with bursts of vibrant colour.

• Printmaking techniques—lino cut, wood carving, blind embossing—grew from a 2022 residency at Homeprint with John and Allison Brebner. Jo layers these textures into mixed-media works.

• Photography informs both standalone pieces and painting references, reflecting Jo’s inquisitive nature and attention to detail.

Workshops & Community Engagement

After six years as a Resident Artist at the Wanaka Arts Centre (2019–2025), Jo has continued to teach classes and workshops in Dunedin, Wanaka, Cromwell, and beyond. In 2026, she also started to teach watercolour workshops on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, extending her teaching practice across the Tasman. Jo especially enjoys teaching beginners, helping people build confidence from the basics, while artists of other experience levels are always welcome. In 2023, Jo co-founded Art for All, a not-for-profit initiative offering subsidised workshops across the South Island through Creative New Zealand’s Creatives in Communities Scheme.

Residencies, Scholarships & Exhibitions

• Six-year Resident Artist (alongside other renowned Wanaka artists), Wanaka Arts Centre (2019–2025)

• Homeprint Residency focused on hand printing and embossing (2022)

• Recipient of two art scholarships; graduated with Excellence (2023)

• Exhibited work in numerous locations in New Zealand, including Wanaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Stewart Island, Riversdale, Waikaka, Dunedin & Nelson.

Materials & Philosophy

Jo selects archival-grade papers, professional paints, and fine-art supplies to ensure longevity and vibrant results. Her studio practice blends technical precision with playful experimentation, treating each challenge as an opportunity to refine both process and vision.

What’s Next

Currently, Jo is expanding her programs at The Imaginarium Studio while extending her workshop locations across New Zealand and Australia. She is also developing a new series of alcohol ink works and continues to explore how texture, colour, and form can evoke emotion and foster connection across diverse audiences.