Located in an old factory at 28 Clarence St, Devonport, the Depot Artspace is a vibrant, dynamic community project supporting local artists of all persuasions. Open every day, the gallery is bound to have at least one exhibition to inspire and challenge you. Exhibits might be of paintings, drawings, sculpture or even textiles, and the artists might be well seasoned or complete newbies. The great thing about the Depot is that they are all inclusive and they’re always initiating new projects. As well as being an art gallery, the Depot has a recording studio, an on-line magazine giving artists voice, a community radio station and a regular forum for artists, writers and musicians. Check out all the amazing things they’re doing, including upcoming exhibitions here.

East Meets West - Architect Designed Home in Dairy Flat

This fine example of mid-20th Century modernist architecture, designed by highly regarded local architect Rolly Adams, owned by the same family for many years, is now for sale. Built in 1968 on its original site at Mairangi Bay beach, it has recently been relocated as the beach site was targeted by the local council for public recreation space. The home now enjoys a completely different setting – 3.2 acres of gently rolling land in the equestrian and lifestyle mecca of Dairy Flat. Placed in this new environment, the home appears a little imposing with its skin of black cedar and white trim. Extensive planting of native shrubs, grasses and specimen trees will mature over the next few years to  effect a softer landscape to nestle the structure.

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Northart Gallery is a community funded art gallery in Norman King Square, Northcote Shopping Centre, which regularly hosts local art exhibitions and runs after school art classes.  It’s open every day, 10 – 4, and admission is free.   In 2008, the gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary with an  exhibition called 10 Big Paintings,  which received some favourable reviews in Art News and  The NZ Herald. See what’s in the calendar at Northart.

Today I sold a Group Architect Home in Hillcrest on the North Shore.

These homes are quite special and are part of New Zealand’s architectural heritage. They mark a major change in architecture and reflect the unique kiwi way of life. I did not recognise it at first as the present owners had painted all the timber with white wash. Group architect homes usually feature natural materials just as native timbers and stone. Personally I felt the white wash on the floorboards and paint on the ceiling beams are a great enhancement and make the home light and bright.

Constructed in 1953 this home boasts indoor – outdoor flow and open-plan living areas, something, which, at the time it was built would have been unique and avant garde! These features have become part of the kiwi way of life, we have a need to bring the outdoors inside and love to eat outside  and enjoy family life around a Barbecue. The  open plan living-dining and kitchen is egalitarian and reflected a growing equality of the sexes in the 1950’s. It was becoming unacceptable to lock Mum away in the kitchen, and the preparation of food was a part of entertaining and baby-boomer  family life that everyone enjoyed.

A modest bungalow, it demonstrated that architecture enhanced the everyday life of common people, again part of New Zealand’s egalitarianism. The windows are tall, floor to ceiling to allow lots of light inside, and the pitched ceiling with exposed beams are all part of the style. This home would have been a stand out amongst it’s more ordinary neighbours in Hillcrest.

I know of another in Quebec Road, Milford and 3, I think, in Northboro Road in Takapuna. Here’s a film made in 1950 of the construction of a home that could just about be the one I just sold in Ocean View Road.

Visit the Lake House Arts Centre in Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna. In a beautiful garden setting (formerly the site of the Barry’s Pt tip), which often has fantastic outdoor sculptures, the Lake House is a fine example of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, preserved and lovingly maintained by a charitable trust. It was a boarding house in earlier times, built at the northern end of Takapuna Beach and was moved to its present site in the late 1990s.

You can visit the Lake House galleries to enjoy the rich variety of artworks on exhibition, you can join an art class for a term or more (adults and children’s classes are offered), or enjoy breakfast or lunch at the on-site cafe, amidst this wonderful piece of North Shore heritage. Perhaps you’d like to book your kids into a school holiday programme. Check out the timetable here.

Old building, new face

The Department Store, located at 10 Northcroft Street in Takapuna, is a refreshing change from the bland sameness of shopping malls. It’s a groovy industrial space – polished concrete floors, concrete ceilings and exposed beams – occupied by some savvy designers and retailers. Karen Walker Clothing, Black Box Boutique, Simon James Furniture/Design and Michael Lett Galleries occupy the ground floor, along with The Marr Lab (organic, non-toxic skin care), and The Tea Room (excellent coffee and delicious treats – I love the poppy seed cake!). There’s so many gorgeous things to look at and try on, and I really enjoy browsing the range of books on offer – architecture, design, cookery, art – the goods may be up-market but the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. A white spiral staircase leads to Lucy and the Powder Room (beauty spa), and the new Top Shop is on the top floor, sharing space with Stephen Marr Hair. The wash basins are cleverly hidden from view by an exotically lush, living wall of plants, all growing quite happily and providing a soft contrast to the hardness of the concrete. This building has come a long way since it was used as the Post Office (I worked there as a bank teller in the 70s). Good on the designers and business people who had the sense to retain the building and reinvent it as a superb, sophisticated retail experience.

Visit the Shore’s Heritage Performing Arts Venue, right on the edge of the beautiful Lake Pupuke. See the latest exhibition in the art gallery, go to a live show in the theatre, or simply enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat in this historic venue.Watch the windsurfers and rowers, feed the ducks and swans, or take a walk around the lake edge. There’s plenty to see and do here, and it’s only a short walk from the Takapuna shopping precinct.

Originally built in 1905 to provide water for the North Shore (bricks and timber supplied by local businesses), the Pumphouse was in action until 1944, when the odd eel started to find its way into residents’ bathtubs. Neglected and almost derelict, the building was just saved from demolition by the casting vote of  Mayor Fred Thomas in the 1960s.  In 1971, the North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust was formed, funds were raised and the Theatre was opened in 1977. The gallery is a later addition.

The intimate theatre seats 192 people and has been used to host some exciting local productions such as Ship Songs, Pear Shaped and 1953. It’s a popular spot for music recitals, and children’s plays and musicals are also staged at The Pumphouse – Badjelly The Witch, The Greedy Cat and The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate are some recent productions.

The amphitheatre is an additional space for live shows and is well used in the summer months with productions such as “Shakespeare in the Park” .

Go to the Pumphouse website to see what’s on and what’s coming up. If you’re keen to help, sign up to become a Pumphouse Theatre supporter.

Mairangi Arts Centre in Mairangi Bay is hosting an interesting selection of artworks created by inmates of Paremoremo and Kaikohe prisons. This is an initiative supported by NSCC and Creative NZ, as well as the Arts Centre,  and runs June 13 – 27.  Free entry and much of the work is for sale. Click here to find out more.