If Auckland was an artwork, it would be a vast tapestry woven with the colourful threads of the many cultures that make up its diverse population. There are heaps of ways for art lovers to explore the creative fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau, including public artworks and art trails, galleries and community centres.
While Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the epicentre of the city’s art scene, further afield there are community art galleries that showcase the vibrant work of artists from all fields and walks of life. The directors and curators from six local galleries share what makes their gallery.
Mairangi Arts Centre
20 Hastings Road, Mairangi Bay
Mairangi Arts Centre has an extensive workshop programme, including the popular pottery classes.
What to expect: “Tucked away in the middle of Mairangi Bay, Mairangi Arts Centre (MAC) is a hidden gem, often overlooked by those passing by,” says Clint Taniguchi, general manager at MAC. “It holds a special place in the community as one of Auckland’s oldest art centres, boasting a rich legacy deeply intertwined with the local residents.
“Mairangi Bay itself has a village atmosphere, and MAC plays a vital role in this close-knit community, fostering strong connections with local schools, organisations and businesses. It’s always heartwarming to hear from families who fondly remember taking art classes here as children, and who are now bringing their own children to experience the same joy of creative exploration.
“There are three galleries: the Main Gallery, the smaller Hewson Gallery, and the MAC Artspace which is dedicated to exhibitions by our members. We also have four art studios, including a Clay Studio.”
Get involved: Mairangi Arts Centre offers more than 60 classes and workshops throughout the year for children, youth and adults. Classes range from clay handbuilding and wheel throwing, to comic book illustration and painting classes.
Something unexpected: Outside the facilities is Mairangi Arts Garden, a community-driven space dedicated to enriching native biodiversity.
Don’t miss: “We will be participating in Auckland’s World Of Cultures festival with our exhibition and event Culture and Beyond. Following that, we will have a Pop Up! Cash n’ Carry exhibition in conjunction with an Open Day event in our garden. In May, we look forward to hosting exhibitions by the Korean Photography Association of New Zealand and an art collective, Dreamworks.”
UXBRIDGE
35 Uxbridge Road, Howick
UXBRIDGE has an extensive kids’ arts programme with special events in the school holidays.
What to expect: “We combine a number of wonderful facilities: art studios, workshops, theatre, art gallery, dance studio and a number of spaces for community hire,” explains director Paul Brobbel. “The building has an interesting history. Uxbridge began as Presbyterian church in the early 1900s and became an art centre in 1981. The church architecture (now the theatre) is the centre of Uxbridge’s identity. In 2016, a redevelopment merged the older architecture with the addition of modern offices, studios and a cafe.”
Get involved: Uxbridge hosts a range of adult and children’s classes and workshops including its well-known painting, pottery and jewellery classes, plus popular new offerings such as bonsai and kintsugi workshops.
Something unexpected: “Visit on a Saturday and you’ll see one of Auckland’s busiest places for art buzzing with dancing, workshops, children’s art and an amazing cafe. We’re in the heart of Howick with beautiful views of Hauraki Gulf and just minutes from the beach.”
Don’t miss: “April sees our popular school holiday programme return with several workshops each day (some full-day options). We also have children’s films playing in the theatre. Our next term of classes also has some exciting workshops such as the return of pounamu carving and a new meditative drawing workshop, as well as Sculpting for Beginners with Shona Lyon.”
The Upstairs Gallery
Lopdell Precinct, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi
The Upstairs Gallery on level one of Lopdell Precinct showcases artists such as Pusi Urale.
What to expect: “We pride ourselves as being a gallery that supports local emerging talent, and our goal is to be a launching pad for future artists,” says co-director Carlos Vano. “We create an environment that’s welcoming but also provides a platform for artists to hone their skills of presentation to the community. We physically have a small gallery, so when people visit I like to tell them about other facilities in Lopdell Precinct such as the Don Binney artworks on permanent display in the hallway, Te Uru gallery next door, and the rooftop which has beautiful views of Manukau Harbour. There are also photos and information on the history of Lopdell House so visitors can learn more about the building itself.”
Something unexpected: “We started with visual arts but soon found a need for expansion. We now hold movies, workshops, performance arts events, music gigs, pop-ups and artist talks. We are open to all groups and individuals that approach us.”
Don’t miss: “We have a group show in April called Aspire which asks artists what your aspirations are? What would you like to happen with your future? We also have two solo shows in late April and May from Paola King-Borrero and Ahsin Ahsin.”
Te Uru Contemporary Gallery
420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi,
Te Uru features several gallery spaces and is Auckland’s second largest art gallery.
What to expect: “We are a beautiful six-storey building nestled at the foothills of the Waitākere Ranges,” says Te Uru director Adrienne Schierning. “We have six different gallery spaces, a purpose-built education space and a gallery shop. We’re open seven days a week, so visiting us is a great day out – perhaps on your way to one of the stunning west coast beaches or for a walk through Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. Entry to the gallery is free at all times.”
Get involved: Te Uru offers after-school classes and holiday programmes for kids as well as creative kids’ birthday parties. There are also adult classes in a range of media (including Renaissance drawing and botanical watercolours) and one-off weekend workshops for adults such as raranga harakeke (flax weaving). Upcoming adults’ weekend workshops include an eco-paint and pastel making in April and a life drawing in May.
Something unexpected: “People are often surprised by how big the gallery is and the architecture of the space. We are Tāmaki Makaurau’s second largest gallery. Often people don’t expect to see such an impressive facility in Titirangi. The architecture of the building is an artwork in its own right. Te Uru opened ten years ago and was designed by Mitchell Stout Dodd architects, and they won the New Zealand Architecture Award for Public Architecture for their work on Te Uru. The building has two impressive staircases at either end, and throughout it has a wonderful sense of openness and light. You get views of the bush and the harbour. Although you are inside a sturdy modern building you feel a connection to nature.”
Don’t miss: “Photosynthesisers: Women and the lens is a huge survey of 41 women artists including queer, trans women and fa’afafine from Aotearoa and Australia. Soft Spot is an exhibition of three artists from Aotearoa – Ming Ranginui, Claudia Kogachi and Erica von Zon. We will be opening Pauline Yearbury: Life in Forms on 3 May which is really exciting, and we also have Maungrongo Te Kawa exhibiting until 22 June.”
Corban Estate Arts Centre
2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson
Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson is the site of a former winery.
What to expect: Luana Walker, kaiwhakahaere/director at Corban Estate, says, “We've got everything an arts lover could want: Galleries, artist studios, classrooms, heritage spaces for hire, a performing arts theatre, a historic homestead and even a glass-casting workroom.
Plus a café for when creativity requires caffeine. Corban Estate has a rich past, from its days as a working winery to its transformation into a thriving arts hub. There’s a sense of history woven into the walls, and you can feel the creative energy of those who’ve passed through.
“But my absolute favourite moment is seeing children spill out of our classroom spaces at the end of a workshop, clutching their freshly made creations with pure excitement,
paint-covered hands, big smiles, and the kind of joy that reminds you why art matters.”
Get involved: “If you can make it, paint it, cast it, carve it or sketch it, we probably teach it! Our workshops range from printmaking, abstract painting, contemporary embroidery, graffiti workshops, wet felting, sculpture and glass casting. Basically, if you can make a mess doing it, we probably run a class for it.”
Something unexpected: “Corban Estate was once a fully operational winery, complete with a cellar and a theatrette. If walls could talk, these ones would have some fascinating fermentation tales to tell!
“People are also often surprised by the sheer scale of the place. It’s not just a gallery, it’s a sprawling creative hub filled with studios, workrooms, performance spaces and a whole lot of artistic energy. It’s a place where history and innovation collide, proving that creativity, much like a good wine, only gets better with time.”
Don’t miss: “Kids Arts Festival – Celebrating Colour is happening on 5 April, bringing a vibrant explosion of creativity for all ages. From 1-24 April we’re featuring Rainbow Machine, a mobile artwork and part of the Auckland Council Public Art Collection.
“There’s also The Great Snake Search, a free holiday trail winding through the estate in honour of the Year of the Snake, and Dragon Boat Festival Family Day, a cultural celebration full of storytelling, craft, and connection.”
Fresh Gallery Ōtara
5/46 Fair Mall, Ōtara
Fresh Gallery Ōtara holds scheduled monthly exhibitions of contemporary Pacific art.
What to expect: Fresh Gallery Ōtara is an art space showcasing contemporary Pasifika artists and exhibitions relevant to the gallery’s location and its communities. The exhibitions change every six to seven weeks, offering fresh and diverse works throughout the year.
Everything apart from the permanent furniture changes regularly. Fresh Gallery was established in 2006 as a partnership between Manukau City Council and the Ōtara community. The gallery’s program includes emerging solo artists, local school groups and collaborative group exhibitions, showcasing a variety of artistic voices and perspectives.
Get involved: Fresh Gallery regularly holds workshops that are of interest to the local community such as a recent virtual reality and mixed media workshop held by Shivani Karan. Check out Fresh Gallery’s Facebook page for upcoming events. The public programs run alongside our exhibitions, providing opportunities for the community to engage with artists, learn more about their work and participate in creative discussions and activities.
Something unexpected: Fresh Gallery is located next to the Ōtara Flea Market and every Saturday the town centre area is packed with people and stalls.
Don’t miss: In April, Fresh Gallery Ōtara has an exhibition by Sean Hill, titled Sequencergy, running until 12 April. In May, the gallery will present an exhibition by Marie Mapa until May 24.
