Yesterday I was on a mission to view as many art galleries as I could in the city, honestly I…read moredidn't get to many, considering the size of Auckland their isn't actually a great deal around. I have heard that Wellington is the 'art capital' which I look forward to visiting one day. So, Lonely Dog Gallery I heard about you from a previous Yelp review and decided to go pay you a visit. The work here is thematic, comical, fine art and well presented. It is obviously in a specialised market which I am pleased to see does good business - I took note of quite a few red dots (art that has been bought). Plus being in such a good location next to Britomart's transport centre in the hub of the city must mean a lot of tourism flow through. I was also relieved to find it easy to get to, unlike some other inner city galleries I couldn't even find the bloody door to get inI d Although I didn't but any of the art I did buy one of the cards of the art, for my eldest sister in mind, (a big fan of dogs), $5.00 each or you can buy them in packs. They have a description on the back which added to the appeal.

Lonely Dog recently moved down Customs Street a few hundred metres closer to Queen Street…read more Otherwise, it's still the exact same intriguing spot for a quick look as it's always been. For those that don't know, Lonely Dog is a sort of art phenomenon started by Kiwi artist Ivan Clarke who one day started adding human-esque dogs into his dramatic landscape works. It's a sort of weird comic book meets fine landscape art mix, and as such it makes for some pretty surreal stuff with all sorts of symbolic parallels drawn between the dogs and reality. Can't say I've ever bought anything from here, but it's a fun place to linger for a few minutes for a look if you're in the area.

A free museum? Sign us up. We did the kid games and kid packet in the first floor exhibit on the…read moreMāori and local culture. What a story and history lesson with modern art approaches. The staff were so kind and recommended which exhibits to try and the we just spent an hour or two in the clay zone making our own art! This is well worth an afternoon and our next trip will include visit to the cafe when the rain hits!

Gorgeous Art gallery in the heart of Auckland! My husband and I enjoyed strolling the gallery…read moreduring a recent trip. I really enjoyed their Manet and Picasso pieces. If you have a few hours to spare, there's a really nice outdoor space to sit and read a book!

This store is great because it doesn't cater to the 'kitschy' side of New Zealand art and design as…read moremuch as some souvenir type stores like it do. It's more of an Art Gallery rather than a store. And affordable too. I love artist Tony Cribbs 'Adventures of Tin man' series and always like to pick something up whenever I see one in a store or gallery. They are just too cute. And funny as well. I always get compliments on them whenever I have people over to mine. They just exemplify the New Zealand sense of humor so well. I like the fact that Mana also has prints of a lot of their artworks so if you can't afford the actual original artwork itself there are still opportunities for you to own a slice of something. I'm currently crushing on one of their artworks, one of a Maori girl/princess wrapped in a traditional woven cloak. I may have to settle on the print of this one myself!

If you're looking for some absolutely beautiful local art, jewellery or gifts for someone visiting…read moreNew Zealand to take home with them or even to send to someone abroad, this place should be your one stop shop. They've got a fairly small but carefully curated collection of glassware, paintings and sculptures alongside jewellery and cards and other nick-nacks. My favourite things in here are the necklaces. Long thin silver chains with bird and flower pendants, which were gorgeous and really unusual. Things like this range from around $40 up to $400, so you're sure to find something no matter what your budget. I've been looking for a Green Stone necklace for my partner for quite some time and have never been able to find one that I really love, but the ones in Mana are the nicest I've seen in Auckland. Plus they were playing Ben Howard on the stereo when I walked in, which just made me like it even more.

I love the Corban's Art centre. Has consistently great exhibitions which showcase local and…read morenational 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!

I have just discovered my favourite art gallery in Auckland!!! Yay!!!!…read more 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 Cafe (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.

Beautiful inside and out. Great grounds to walk around with stunning, old, large majestic trees…read more Inside hosts several galleries for a variety of exhibits, quite an eclectic mix on display currently - Jan 2016. Particularly enjoyed the photographic two, one on Antarctica and the other a series of black and white portraits by M.Friedlander. These two shows are what lured me here in the first place, actually and the suggestion from a frienf that they also have a cafe onsite, the downfall was that the cafe was closed due to a coffee machine malfunction:( The current exhibition by contemporary Marc Blake was also really good, a talented artist with an eye for creative expression, colour and design.

This historic home located in Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park is a beauty. I came here only last…read moremonth after having lived in Hillsborough for 5 years and not knowing it existed. It is a lovely old home, high varnished wooden floors and rose ceilings. There is a cafe too, but rather than sit inside opt for the wide sweeping veranda, that is the best place to sit. As you walk down from the veranda is a small yard, there are some quite cool sculptures here and a pretty garden with some sculptures amongst the flowers. Around the back of the property are park benches and some massive palm trees, it is a stunning home. There are various exhibitions and events here so to find out what is on visit the website. Additionally there is an art store where you can buy works of art such as ceramics, glass and jewellery.

If you have artistic flare but not the traditional type, then come on down to 85 Cavendish Drive…read more(in the hub with Big Save Furniture, PK Furniture and Reece), there is a massively long drive way that backs onto Chipmunks which has fantastic graffiti art all over it. Graffiti artists from all around the world have come here and painted magnificent pieces, showing off their talents and skills which have made them known world wide. Before meeting my boyfriend never was I into this art, but it really is quite unique. These big bold pieces are done with spray cans and spraying techniques. I would never have known that those fine straight lines were all done freehand. It really is an art and far from the horrible eye sore tagging which gives graffiti a bad name. This local flavour is totally worth coming to view. It gives so much character to the area. I truly am a fan!

Titirangi artist Heathermeg's studio, gallery, store is a burst of colour, just like the larger…read morethan life woman herself who is no shrinking violet. Speaking of flowers, many of Heathermeg's canvasses, painted corrugated iron artworks even letterboxes depict lush tropical beautiful blooms while she also paints other themes. These works of art jump out at you and will brighten up your day. Price wise the work for sale at The Art Bunker is pretty reasonable, and if you have a particular idea then Heathermeg will be happy to take on your commission whether its for your home or outside in the garden.

Lopdell House is Titirangi's historic cultural heart and its functions go far beyond an art…read moregallery. I've been here on school trips doing art workshops in the dank basement. I've been to plays in the theatre by the Titirangi Theatre Company. My favourite thing to do here is to ride the elevator; vintage and beautiful with a pull-across iron gate. Even just popping in to the cafe to soak up the atmosphere is worthwhile. Unfortunately none of us will be doing much of anything at Lopdell House for the next little while as Auckland Council treats it to a much-needed makeover including serious structural work and a whole new adjacent building. In the meantime the gallery and theatre are operating out of temporary spaces in New Lynn. We can look forward to this grand old lady that started life as a hotel, reopening rejuvenated and hopefully being around for many years to come.

A great new gallery building next to the lovely Lopdell House. Amazing architecture & veiws along…read morewith cool contemporary art exhibitions. A great reason to head west! Stop on the way to tbe beach.