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Join our FEatured ARTIST . . .
Painter
CHARLOTTE GIBLIN
C
harlotte Giblin, seen above at August’s Whitianga Arts Fair, shares
new illustrations and musings with us from a recent “Road Trip” to
Coromandel Town.
Charlotte also plans to assemble her musings, paintings and
illustrations into at least one book of her own, but in the meantime she
will customise one just for you. Have you also visited the locations
featured in the Road Trips? Charlotte will create your art book featuring
her paintings and musings along with your own personal photographs,
sure to be a treasured keepsake of your holiday or favourite locations
(perhaps near your home or bach).
Charlotte is a multi-talented lady. After completing a BA (Hons) in
Ceramics at University of Wales Institute in 1997, she spent the next
ten years throwing over 25,000 mugs, bowls, and plates through her
business, Bouncing Pig Pottery. Charlotte shifted from art to marketing
and, when relocating from the UK to NZ (with partner Pete), she set
up and ran the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville, organised arts festivals,
and was administrator of the Mercury Bay Art Escape which she
just stepped aside from in April to devote her time to painting and
illustrating children’s books. She also teaches “How to See” drawing
workshops in multiple locations on the Coromandel.
Find her work as originals, prints and even her popular cushions,
displayed in the Little Gallery of Fine Arts (Tairua), Mosaic Gallery
(Whitianga), Beach Habitat (Hahei) and Bread & Butter Gallery
(Whitianga). She is preparing for a large October exhibition of her works
at the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville. Contact her at charlotte.giblin@
hotmail.co.nz, friend her on Facebook and visit
www.bouncingpig.co.nz.historic COROMANDEL TOWN
The Star and Garter Hotel
and restaurant
3
Driving into Coromandel Town, you can’t miss the historic Star
and Garter Hotel, as shown on the Road Trip cover. Originally built in
1877 by Thomas Carroll, its current size is but a shadow of its former
glory, as one can see in this historic photograph. The room windows
faced the impressive vista of the harbour. The hotel was furnished in the
most elaborate style with bathrooms, cosy bedrooms, smoking-rooms
and lounging parlours – considered one of the the premier hotels of the
goldfields, and its spacious hall hosted many a banquet.
On Christmas Eve 1895, a fire that started in the original Star and Garter
Hotel destroyed much of the business district. It was quickly rebuilt. A
news brief of the day mentions that it was also partially burned in 1915.
“Karen and I opened the bar in 2003,” says current owner Brian
McMillan who notes that it was not always a hotel. “It was a general
store for the miners and then a drapery shop for over 80 years. We
joined the three original kauri counters – that the bolts of fabric were
thrown over – and turned them into one long bar. This magnificient
building is constructed all in heart kauri. We still have two of the original
vaults that were used to store gold!”
Today Brian and Karen keep this landmark humming, as a ‘bike-friendly’
bar and restaurant, with craft beers, music, and indoor-outdoor dining.
Getting your bearings
Turn left at the hotel to drive along Wharf Road which leads to Long Bay
and Wyuna Bay Roads where the roads end.
A right turn on Kapanga Road takes you north through town and its
enticing collection of historic commercial buildings.
On the right, look for a lovely small park at Grove Street. It offers public
restrooms, kiddie playground, and a creek.
Charlotte is joined on this Road Trip by painter Ian Given
and photographers Ian Patrick and Alan Duff. See page 8 for
information about them. Willie Lochere provided stunning photos
of the rugged north (see page 38).
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