• About Us

     

Our History

Mairangi Arts Centre is housed in the old Mairangi War Memorial Hall built in 1953. It was built by local people from whatever materials they could acquire. Much of it came from the wharves, including the original Tawa floor, which is still used today.

From 1972, it was used for many years as the headquarters for the East Coast Bays Football club.

Mairangi Arts Centre (MAC) was initiated after a group of East Coast Bays residents saw the need for an arts centre in their area. After more than ten years of fundraising, the centre was opened in May 1991. Following an extensive refurbishment, it was transformed into a light and spacious environment, which has been maintained ever since.

Circa 1991

 

(left) Founding Member of MAC, Pat Hewson and (right) First MAC Chair, Pam Dalton

Today MAC is one of Auckland’s oldest and largest community art centres, employing over 25 tutors and servicing a diverse and growing membership from across the North Shore community.

Visit this link for further information and photos on our history.

 

OUR VALUES, MISSION, AND VISION

VALUES | NGĀ UARA

Community | Hapori

Guardianship | Kaitiakitanga

Leadership | Rangatiratanga

Respect | Whakaute

 

MISSION | KAUPAPA

Engaging and empowering our diverse communities through the arts.

VISION | WHAKAKITENGA

Nurture the continuous discovery of diverse and innovative art experiences.

mairangiarts

Curious Creatures of Mairangi Bay is landing at the Play Tree on Saturday, 17 October! From 10 am to 2 pm, magical penguins will be waiting to spark games, wonder and playful discovery for all ages.

Grab your phone, scan the QR code and dive into a free digital activity trail that you can enjoy any time during the day. All you need is curiosity and a sense of adventure!

To celebrate the launch we’ve added extra play stations, a face painter and a few surprise treats—just for you. The Play Tree sits right next to the Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre on Maxwelton Drive, so swing by and let the penguins guide your fun.

A special thanks to Auckland Council, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, and the Mairangi Arts Centre for making this possible, and to our local Primary and Intermediate students who designed the penguins. See you there, penguins!

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Sep 28

Open
Curious Creatures of Mairangi Bay is landing at the Play Tree on Saturday, 17 October! From 10 am to 2 pm, magical penguins will be waiting to spark games, wonder and playful discovery for all ages. Grab your phone, scan the QR code and dive into a free digital activity trail that you can enjoy any time during the day. All you need is curiosity and a sense of adventure! To celebrate the launch we’ve added extra play stations, a face painter and a few surprise treats—just for you. The Play Tree sits right next to the Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre on Maxwelton Drive, so swing by and let the penguins guide your fun. A special thanks to Auckland Council, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, and the Mairangi Arts Centre for making this possible, and to our local Primary and Intermediate students who designed the penguins. See you there, penguins!

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✨ Meet our new tutor, Mark Whippy ✨

We’re delighted to welcome Mark to our team, who will be teaching Oil Portrait Painting Fundamentals✨

Mark is a figurative artist who paints portraits and figures with expressive realism. He studied Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design and Watts Atelier of the Arts, and teaches life drawing for animation students at AUT.

🎨 What can first-time oil painters expect?
“I have an approach to oil painting that is similar to charcoal drawing which makes it more forgiving. It allows room to keep things loose and expressive while still learning about the structure of the face to have the balance of looseness and realism to combine the best of both. It allows the artist to also input their own decisions and mark making into the piece. As we progress, we will learn about colours through limited palettes which makes colour mixing very simple."

🎨 What do you think brings a portrait to life and gives it character?
"Looking for the subjects personality, their story, what is interesting about that person, what kind of mood they show. Sometimes it helps to simply look at the subject and thinking about what is the most interesting thing to you about the subject that is in front of you, what is the story you can see and how can you tell this story to the viewer in the painting. I also think allowing paint to be paint is important in a portrait, Taking advantage of the nature of what the paint can do that a photo doesn`t already do."

Book his class here:
Oil Portrait Painting Fundamentals | Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30am (adults)
https://mairangi-arts-centre.live.baluu.co.uk/event/oil-portrait-painting-fundamentals-with-mark-whippy-1788213144

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Sep 26

Open
✨ Meet our new tutor, Mark Whippy ✨ We’re delighted to welcome Mark to our team, who will be teaching Oil Portrait Painting Fundamentals✨ Mark is a figurative artist who paints portraits and figures with expressive realism. He studied Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design and Watts Atelier of the Arts, and teaches life drawing for animation students at AUT. 🎨 What can first-time oil painters expect? “I have an approach to oil painting that is similar to charcoal drawing which makes it more forgiving. It allows room to keep things loose and expressive while still learning about the structure of the face to have the balance of looseness and realism to combine the best of both. It allows the artist to also input their own decisions and mark making into the piece. As we progress, we will learn about colours through limited palettes which makes colour mixing very simple." 🎨 What do you think brings a portrait to life and gives it character? "Looking for the subjects personality, their story, what is interesting about that person, what kind of mood they show. Sometimes it helps to simply look at the subject and thinking about what is the most interesting thing to you about the subject that is in front of you, what is the story you can see and how can you tell this story to the viewer in the painting. I also think allowing paint to be paint is important in a portrait, Taking advantage of the nature of what the paint can do that a photo doesn't already do." Book his class here: Oil Portrait Painting Fundamentals | Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30am (adults) https://mairangi-arts-centre.live.baluu.co.uk/event/oil-portrait-painting-fundamentals-with-mark-whippy-1788213144

mairangiarts

🏺 ONE-DAY POTTERY CLASSES | OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

Want to give pottery a go without committing to a full-term class? Join us for a one-day pottery session at Mairangi Arts Centre.

Get creative with clay, try something new and make a piece of your own to take home. Perfect for beginners and anyone who loves getting their hands dirty!

✨ Only $55 – all materials and firing* included!

October & November sessions available
📅 Sundays, 18 October – 15 November
⏰ 4:00–6:30pm
📍 Mairangi Arts Centre

Spaces are limited, so book your session now! 👐✨

👉 Book online here: https://shorturl.at/96QnY

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Sep 22

Open
🏺 ONE-DAY POTTERY CLASSES | OCTOBER & NOVEMBER Want to give pottery a go without committing to a full-term class? Join us for a one-day pottery session at Mairangi Arts Centre. Get creative with clay, try something new and make a piece of your own to take home. Perfect for beginners and anyone who loves getting their hands dirty! ✨ Only $55 – all materials and firing* included! October & November sessions available 📅 Sundays, 18 October – 15 November ⏰ 4:00–6:30pm 📍 Mairangi Arts Centre Spaces are limited, so book your session now! 👐✨ 👉 Book online here: https://shorturl.at/96QnY

mairangiarts

🎨 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS = CREATIVE TIME! ✨

Looking for something fun for the kids these holidays?

Let them get messy, get creative and make something amazing at Mairangi Arts Centre!

Looking for something fun and creative for the kids these holidays?

Let them get hands-on, try something new and make something they’re proud of! 🎨

🖌️ Painting
✏️ Drawing
🏺 Pottery & Clay
✂️ Creative Crafts
✨ And more!

Our September/October Holiday Programme has creative activities for ages 5–17, with plenty of opportunities to explore different mediums, learn new skills and have fun.

📅 28 September – 9 October
🎨 Ages 5–17
📍 Mairangi Arts Centre, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland

Spaces are limited, so book their spot now at the link in our bio

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Sep 17

Open
🎨 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS = CREATIVE TIME! ✨ Looking for something fun for the kids these holidays? Let them get messy, get creative and make something amazing at Mairangi Arts Centre! Looking for something fun and creative for the kids these holidays? Let them get hands-on, try something new and make something they’re proud of! 🎨 🖌️ Painting ✏️ Drawing 🏺 Pottery & Clay ✂️ Creative Crafts ✨ And more! Our September/October Holiday Programme has creative activities for ages 5–17, with plenty of opportunities to explore different mediums, learn new skills and have fun. 📅 28 September – 9 October 🎨 Ages 5–17 📍 Mairangi Arts Centre, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland Spaces are limited, so book their spot now at the link in our bio

Proudly supported by

info@mairangiarts.co.nz
(09) 478 2237
20 Hastings Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand 0630
PO Box 65121, Mairangi Bay 0754

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