A socially conscious gallery and community hub in the heart of the Hokianga, No.1 features the work of regional artists across all mediums – paintings, mixed media, jewellery, sculpture, and ceramics. The hub is also home to Erewhon Books, both quality second hand and new books by local writers, and community destination A New Era Café.
In 2013 the building was purchased by Linda Blincko and Lynn Lawton who have lovingly restored the building as a social conscious art space providing opportunities for artists to develop greater sustainability and for the community to have a space to hold creative events. Local Kaikohe builder, Malcolm Kildare, was project manager and lovingly and with great care carried out the restoration and refurbishment work.
Though the restored building today is a far cry from the original Andrewes Store, No.1’s wooden floor still shows off its indentation, the place where customers stood behind the shop counter to purchase and pass the time of day.
Artists exhibiting during KOAST include:
Nigel Brown
Michelle Morunga
Joanne Barrett
Kristina Robertson
Brenda Moir
Liz McAuliffe
