Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre

Overview

Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre is a community art school that offers active groups such as life drawing, pottery, spinners & weavers, writers, bridge and all things fabric.

In the 1930s, a visionary local woman Catherine Mitchell set out to build an arts centre for the people of Waiheke. By 1952, the Catherine Mitchell Arts Society (as it was then known) was well established in her home at Onetangi. In 1969 after her death the society accepted the offer of the Western Waiheke Roads Board to relocate the society to Ostend. They were finally provided the current premises in ANZAC Reserve. The agreement remains that Auckland Council own and maintain the property in exchange for an affordable community lease.

There are three studio spaces. The art room is used for life drawing, painting, dyeing, and fabric craft. The culture room is where bridge, toastmaster and the writers group meet. And, the pottery studio is a dedicated space for ceramics. There is a separate kiln shed in the garden outside the main building. There are also kitchen facilities, bathrooms and storage.

The building, grounds and carpark are owned and maintained by Auckland Council. There are fruit trees, raised herb gardens and two disabled parking spaces. The building is within ANZAC Reserve where Ostend Community Market operates on Saturdays.

The two main rooms can be booked for private/community events for a low fee outside of group session times. (No parties).

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2025 Update

Have added email. Will walk past later today to look for changes.

Membership Fee

$40 per year and access any of the groups operating at the Centre.

Individual groups may have additional annual fees, material costs or donations.

Classes

Pottery – Mentored sessions: Monday 6pm-9pm, Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm, 6.30pm – 9pm, Wednesday 6pm-9pm, Thursdays 6pm – 9pm.

Spinners & Weavers – Monday 9am – 12pm

Writers Group – Thursdays 10am – 1pm

Life Drawing – Mondays 6.30pm, Wednesdays 9.30am

Waiheke Bridge Club -Tuesday 9:45am, Wednesday 6.45pm, Thursday 1pm

Toastmasters – Every second Monday 6.30pm

All Things Fabric – Wednesday 12.30pm, Friday 9.30am

Access Information

The best way to access Catherine Mitchell Art Centre is their parking area, or roadside parking it is located on Putiki Road. Accessible from Wharf Road or Ostend Road.

Wheelchair access to the centre is possible

Gallery