Arts in The Coromandel
The Coromandel is a creative haven for many, so we suggest you take the time to wander into an Aladdin's cave of creativity at one of the local art galleries across the region. With time and without crowds, discover what truly moves you. Enjoy painting, sculpture and other artworks created by the region’s talented artists and craftspeople. Take in a craft fair or a homegrown arts festival, or be delighted by one of many performing arts events happening throughout The Coromandel.
Visual Art
The Little Gallery showcases fine art, jewellery and sculpture from established Coromandel artists. The gallery showcases artworks by leading and award-winning Coromandel and New Zealand artists at two premises located in Tairua and Whangamata. Heading north on your Coromandel arts trail, stop in at Hot Waves Cafe, Hot Water Beach and on the way to Whitianga, Alan Rhodes Pottery. Then visit Hauraki House Gallery at Coromandel Town. Run by the Coromandel Community Arts Council, this gallery features exhibitions by artists and craftspeople from The Coromandel and New Zealand before calling in to visit Bounty Store, Carsons Gallery and ArohArt in Thames. Try your hand at pottery or view the locally crafted work at The Laughing Pottery in Waihi.
Trails & Fairs
What better time than winter to take in the Coromandel Art and Craft Fair in Whitianga held annually in July. The one day fair hosted by Mercury Bay Art Escape showcases quality handmade Arts and Crafts produced in The Coromandel. It offers an excellent opportunity to meet with local artisans and artists. To make a weekend of it, take yourself on a self-guided arts tour and visit local artists at work in their Coromandel studios.
Another wonderful winter weekend opportunity for Fibre Art fans is the September Fibre Frolic in Whangamata. Run by the Whangamata Spinners and Weavers club members who exhibit, demonstrate and share their skills and passion for fibre arts and crafts. Discover many ways to weave, view needle felting, paper making, giant knitting, painting on silk, flax weaving, crochet, wool blending and colouring and more.
The Coromandel Arts Tour takes places over the first two weekend in October when nearly 40 artists from in and around Coromandel Town, open their studios for you to visit. A great first stop is the Arts Tour Exhibition at the Hauraki House Gallery in Coromandel town centre. Here you can see work from each artist, pick up a guide and plan your studio tour.
Festivals and Performing Arts
For live theatre, music and stage shows, expect to be entertained in towns all over the region during the winter months, with local drama groups such as the Tairua Troubadours in Tairua.
Players and Offbeat Theatre Co (Whitianga) performing shows and musicals.
Workshops and Classes
Seek out Photography Workshops in Kuaotunu, Flax Weaving Workshops in Whenuakite and Pottery Classes at Driving Creek and the Laughing Pottery
Visit www.creativecoromandel.co.nz for all the arts events and activities happening throughout The Coromandel.
Find a list of all our local operators, including galleries, studios and retail outlets.
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