Art is an integral part of the Wharepuke experience. Visitors and guests can view work in our gallery, garden and restaurant by established international artists and up and coming local and national talents or participate in art classes and workshops to make their own unique creations.
Professional artist print maker Mark Graver RE lives and works on site where we have an art gallery, a Non-Toxic Fine Art Printmaking studio and a sculpture park complementing the subtropical garden setting.
Art at Wharepuke Gallery
The art gallery is a purpose built space which opened in September 2009. We specialise in exhibitions by established national and international fine art printmakers. Art at Wharepuke also showcases prints by Mark Graver RE and ceramics by Richard Parker. Art at Wharepuke is the only gallery in Northland that sells Richard Parkers and Mark Gravers work.
Mark and Richard’s work is also featured in MĀHA , our on site restaurant.
Art at Wharepuke specialise in printmaking but also show work in other mediums and are committed to facilitating the development of contemporary art practices and to fostering international networks through exhibitions, projects and exchange. Artists come to Wharepuke for residencies, exhibitions and to give public talks about their work.
Past exhibitions include an Australian Aboriginal printmaking exhibition from Utopia, prints and photographs from Vietnam, Indian printmaking and solo shows by artists from the UK, Australia, Austria, Canada and the USA.
There is also an international open print competition held every two years.
The Wharepuke Print Studio
Mark Graver RE established the Wharepuke Print Studio in 2005. It is New Zealand’s only dedicated Non-Toxic etching workshop and has links to artists and printmaking studios all over the world.
Mark specialises in acrylic resist etching which, unlike traditional etching, uses no acids or solvents. Images are created on metal plates (copper or aluminium) which are etched in metal salt solutions, inked using water based inks and printed onto paper.
Mark is an experienced tutor and author of the printmaking handbook Non-Toxic Printmaking (2011, London, A&C Black), he was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, London, in 2019 and his work is held in museum collections around the world including the V&A Museum, London and The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK.
Courses, workshops, art holidays and activity breaks can be arranged at times to suit and no previous printmaking experience is necessary. We can put together packages for groups of between 3 and 8 people including accommodation, workshop, and a shared meal at MĀHA. Contact us for details, options or questions.
The Wharepuke Sculpture Park
The newest addition the Art at Wharepuke stable is the 1 km sculpture trail through the 2 hectare subtropical garden. Opened in December 2015 the sculpture trail is designed to complement the exotic plants and features both permanent works and changing works for sale by national and international artists.
Artists can propose work for the garden at any time and there is an annual paid artists residency sponsored by Wharepuke and the Dalton Trust, Kerikeri which allows artists to come to Wharepuke for 4 weeks to make a work for the park.
The subtropical garden sculpture tail is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm and a trail guide is provided with information about the work. Suggested Koha- Adults $10, Under 16 – $5, under 5’s free. Entry is also free for guests staying in the cottage accommodation. 1 year unlimited entry passes are also available for $30 per person.