Corban Arts Estate Centre

I’m in love with the little wooden Chapel that’s located at the back of the Corban Estate. Set amidst beautiful trees and a sprawling lawn, the Old St. Michael’s Church, is an enchanting little sport for an intimate wedding ceremony or an evening of Baroque-​style classical music.

I love the Corban’s Art centre. Has consistently great exhibitions which showcase local and national artists, workshops in which you can chat to local artists and a fantastic gift shop which is always my first stop if I want to buy a gift with an Aotearoa flavour. Also runs community art workshops and has a lovely coffee shop. Love it!

Auckland is pretty lucky to have an arts centre like Corban’s — it’s only thanks to the Corban family and the former Waitakere City Council that the whole place wasn’t bowled and an ugly «mega-​centre» built there like so much of the rest of Henderson. Apart from the gallery spaces, which more often than not have something interesting going on in them, and the well-​curated shop, there’s a plethora of other spaces here, much of it hireable for events, or rehearsals, or workshops. There’s a really dinky, sweet church on the grounds that’s probably my favourite place in Auckland for rehearsals.
The companies in residence, Atamira and Red Leap, occasionally open their doors for open sessions so keep a look out for that. Also do drop into the Pacific Arts Centre for a chat, and if you’re lucky, you might be able to sit in on one of the Pacific Mamas’ session.
There’s also a bit of a sculpture walk through the grounds so if it’s a nice day bring a picnic and have a wander around.
Finally, if all of that isn’t enough, they also have art classes here for children and adults.

I have just discovered my favourite art gallery in Auckland!!! Yay!!!
I had heard about this place in the past, even considered applying for a job in their shop at one stage, but because I don’t go out to Henderson all that much it just had never happened, so earlier this week I made a lunch date with my husband at the Corban Arts Estate Café (also a winner on my list of Auckland’s finest haunts, please refer to separate review to find out why…). After our yummy lunch he headed back to work and I went of gallery viewing…
The gallery has three separate rooms but all under the same roof, as you enter the front building. The gallery space is not ample, but laid out professionally and aesthetically. There was three shows exhibiting whilst I was visiting, my personal favourite was by the artist Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, a name that may be challenging to pronounce but worth remember, this artist is a very skilled craftsman. His work revolved around La Lava, «the Tongan art of lashing or binding». He demonstrated his art through several mediums, from weaving intricate and time consuming wool pieces displayed on the wall, to building large and small geometric designs with timber. They created wonderful patterns for eye and mind to appreciate. I also liked the lightings relationship with the art, creating shadows of the designs playfully across the wall. Plus, the framing was matched beautifully, unique double edges that brought the work forward bringing extra life to the forms.
Last, but not least was a really great shop were the artists (in residence) sold their mix of talents — from pottery, paintings, upcycled crafts, jewellery, cards and much more. And at affordable prices!
If you haven’t been to Corbans before then it is time to go; if you have been there before then go again.