Quarry Arts Centre

Nestled into bush clad hills only 5 minutes walk from central Whangarei is a little piece of paradise nurturing the creative spirit of Northland and known as The Quarry Arts Centre.

Open to the public 7 days a week, visitors can stroll through the grounds and see resident artists in their studios, purchase hand-crafted goods directly from local artists at the Quarry Craft Co-op shop, view exhibitions at the Yvonne Rust Gallery, bring the family for a picnic by the waterfall or take a walk in the Coronation Reserve up to the pa site or over the hill to the Quarry Subtropical Garden – all for free.

We also run a variety of courses throughout the year for adults and children, as well as selling clay and art supplies in the main office from Mon- Fri.

The Quarry incorporates the Yvonne Rust Gallery, Te Kowhai Print Trust and the Quarry Craft Co-op Shop.

~~ Artist Studios

There are 16 artists working on site at The Quarry Art Centre. Their studios are open to the public most days offering a vibrant insight for visitors into the art and practice of Northland artists. Our current studio holders include ceramic artists, painters, jewellers, carvers and sculptors.

Current studio holders are:
Axelle Faur - Photography and paint
Rachel Wellwood - textile artist and landscape designer
Vaughan Gunson - Poet
Helen Bowners - Mosaic artist
Karen Sidney - Production Manager, Director, and Script writer also the founder of 'the Script Lounge'
Sandra Meyst - Sculptor (stone and clay)
Karl Darling - Painter
Jay - Carver
Jo Porter - Carver
Forbes Roxburghs - Painter
Gabrielle Pfander - Mixed media artist
Monika Rushike - Mixed media artist
Dianne and Ken Doran - Painter and wooden furniture
Peter Larson - poet and performer
Hana Ott - Jeweller
Mathew Honeyfeild - Painter, currently a student at Elam School of fine art.
Quarry Cigar box guitar company – the makers of beautiful Cigar box guitars with a sound that sums up the Quarry.

~~ Quarry Craft Co-op Shop

Offering a wide range of handcrafted products, the Quarry Craft Co-op is an integral part of the Quarry scene. Art and craft including wood, pottery, glass, jewellery, silks and textiles, leather, bone and pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) carving, sculpture are all on offer and at great prices!

Run by the artists, for the artists means that overheads are kept to a minimum – the result being a wide range of quality handcrafted products at very competitive prices. And with the shop being run by artists/members, you get a unique experience of being able to discuss the artworks with them and to enjoy the working environment and tranquillity of the Quarry at the same time.

~~ Rust Ramble - Outdoor Art at the Quarry

The Outdoor Art Rust Ramble is an outdoor extension of the established and renowned Yvonne Rust Gallery - this community art gallery has been at the hub of the Quarry Arts Centre since its founding in 1982 and is now sprawling the artistic talents displayed within outdoors.

Nestled into the bush clad hills on the edge of Whangarei Central Business District the Quarry grounds lends itself perfectly to an outdoor art ramble. With remains from the original Waldron’s Quarry, unique garden surroundings, lawns, unusual buildings and even an ambient waterfall the Quarry Rust Ramble is lovely to wander around and enjoy the artistic creations of sculptors and artists.

All works included in the Rust Ramble are for sale and more information about the works and artists can be found in the Rust Ramble plaques or in the map available from the Quarry Arts Centre Office or Co-Op shop.

The purpose of the Rust Ramble is to exhibit large scale and outdoor works made by the hands of artists enriching the Quarry Art Centre grounds and building a platform for outdoor artist to display their work.