West Coast Gallery

The West Coast Gallery is one of those places that you can’t miss when visiting Piha — it’s a registered charitable trust, the West Coast Community Arts Trust, that supports local artists who reside in the Western region of Auckland. The gallery is situated in the old Piha Fire Station, converted after the new fire station was built next door.
Filled with a wide range of artistic items, from oil and watercolour paintings, to sculptures, jewellery, cards, pottery and photography. A great place to discover well known West Coast artists, such as Dean Buchanan and Helga Strewe, to less known and upcoming artists. Regular new exhibitions, that capture the true spirit and essence of the west coast and its people.
It’s great to know that the money that you’re spending at the gallery will go directly to benefit the artists themselves, and not just paying a huge mark up that you would pay in galleries closer to the city. Very well priced.
Local roots, run by locals, for the benefit of the local community. Worth supporting!

This gallery is situated in beautiful surrounds, a very fitting place for an art gallery!
I was surprised to hear that they are the only one in Piha, I figured there would be loads since Piha is such a famous destination so close to Auckland’s CBD, popular with locals and tourists. So lucky them! They can cash in on the art trade all to themselves at this gallery! And it is a gallery well worth supporting, they are run by a non-​profit Trust (West Coast Community Arts Trust). Any West Auckland Artist is welcome to place in an application to exhibit here, just follow the links and advice on the website (great website too guys!) and you can go solo or in amongst a group, obviously your proposal would have to state all those details. I haven’t created a large body of work/​art in a while, but this gallery makes me want to get all creative, maybe…

Local Karekare artist Dean Buchanan’s brilliantly vibrant canvas is one of my favourite pieces currently on display at West Coast Gallery in Piha, next to the Fire Station and opposite the camp ground. There’s plenty of local artists (actually 200 from the West of Auckland) showcasing their talent here alongside Buchanan’s work. I particularly liked the larger than life wetas with their antennae, but there is sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, photography and more. If you have the time and they are open then pop in for a peek.