The Old Library, Omokoroa

Community | Creative | History

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TOLO - Where Omokoroa meets

This month at TOLO

This month at TOLO

We are a vibrant community co‑operative that brings together several local groups, including the Omokoroa Public Art Group, History Group, Artists Group, and Environmental Managers Incorporated. Through these connections, TOLO (The Old Library Omokoroa) also links with the Omokoroa Bird Group, Pest‑Free Omokoroa, Estuary Management, and the Omokoroa ANZAC Group.

Our facility hosts monthly exhibitions and installations curated by our co‑operative groups and presented by dedicated volunteer staff.

In addition to the exhibition space, our facility is available for use by a wide range of community organisations and private hirers. The building provides an intimate setting, ideal for boutique events, workshops, and meetings. 

As a not‑for‑profit enterprise, TOLO proudly supports other community initiatives such as the Omokoroa MenzShed.

TOLO is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays.

 

Current Events

30
May
2026
} Saturday, 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

Threads of Connection

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa

Throughout June 2026, The Omokoroa Gallery (TOLO) honours the spirit of Matariki with Threads of Connection, a showcase of contemporary Māori art, weaving, and carving. The exhibition explores the visible and unseen ties that connect people, stories, and creative practice, celebrating relationships, heritage, and the threads that bind us together. Like woven strands, these connections move across generations, between communities, and through the natural world. The exhibition features new work by guest artist Darcy Nicholas, alongside works by Que Bidois, Arohanoa Mathews, Garry Webber, Alie Henderson, and Alison Badger. Together, the artists reflect a bicultural exchange grounded in shared knowledge, mutual respect, and creative dialogue.

9

Past Events

05
May
2026
} Tuesday, 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

Second Chance

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa

The Second Chance exhibition provides the opportunity for people to re-home art that no longer fits for them. This is the first time the Omokoroa Gallery has run this exhibition, and if it is popular it may become an annual event.

9
03
March
2026
} Tuesday, 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

Omokoroa Artists

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Omokoroa Artists is a vibrant, collaborative community for adults interested in developing their artistic skills. The group welcomes artists of all experience levels, providing a supportive environment to practise, share ideas, and explore a wide range of creative techniques. Members work in the medium of their choice — from watercolour and acrylic to pastel, pencil, and beyond. Weekly sessions are held at the Omokoroa Settlers Hall every Wednesday from 10.45am to 3.30pm, where participants draw, paint, sculpt, and pursue their individual art projects. The group maintains a well‑resourced library of art books and reference materials. Monthly optional challenges invite members to create works inspired by a selected theme or style, adding an element of fun and creative exploration. Throughout the year, both members and visiting artists offer workshops, providing opportunities for continued learning and artistic growth.

9
31
March
2026
} Tuesday, 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

Robyn Sutton

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa

Robyn Sutton’s practice is guided as much by instinct as by observation. She begins each painting by following what feels visually compelling, while still aiming to honour the subject with a sense of authenticity. Most works start traditionally, using reference photographs—often drawn from family archives or images shared by her daughter. From there, she sketches to establish composition and perspective, before building up layers of paint to create depth, vibrancy, or softness. While acrylic is her preferred medium—allowing her to mix and respond intuitively to colour—she often moves beyond the brush, exploring different tools and techniques as each piece evolves. Reflection is an essential part of her process: she revisits works from a distance, turns them upside down, or simply returns to them days later with fresh eyes. Robyn has been painting and selling her work for over twenty years, navigating creative rhythms alongside the shifts of life and the wider economy. Alongside acrylic, she has worked with pencil, charcoal, ink, and pastel across a variety of surfaces. Some of the more unconventional canvases—surfboards, wakeboards, water skis, and plastic model bodies—have offered a playful extension of her practice, where painted forms bring unexpected life and character. Her work is deeply influenced by the diverse and powerful landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as her own experiences of travel. More recently, bespoke advertising signage has found its way into her portfolio, drawing on skills inherited from her mother, a sign writer.

9
27
January
2026
} Tuesday, 10:00 am to 03:00 pm

Mary Stanley – Artist

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa

After retiring eight years ago, Mary Stanley set out to pursue her long held love of art. Keen to develop new skills, she learned through a combination of online tutorials and art courses, building a strong foundation across a range of media. Mary enjoys working in oils, but her passion is watercolour painting, where the element of surprise continually inspires her. She is drawn to the way a single drop of colour can evolve into something unexpected. She also works in pen and ink and finds particular satisfaction in pencil portraiture. As Mary says, “Just getting a pencil in my hand is exciting.” Through her work, Mary hopes to share the joy of her ongoing artistic exploration with others. Mary is exhibiting her work at The Old Library Omokoroa (TOLO) from Tuesday 27 February to Sunday 1 March, open 10am–4pm. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, and is closed on public holidays.

9
06
January
2026
} Tuesday, 10:00 am to 03:00 pm

5@ART

 2 McDonnell Street, Omokoroa

5 @ ART is a group of art enthusiasts who gather to paint in Anna Tall’s home studio. Over the past five years, each member has developed their own distinct style and colour preferences, exploring everything from traditional techniques to experimental textures and abstract designs. Anna has been painting for more than twenty years and enjoys sharing her knowledge of style, colour, and technique. For her, art is a natural outlet for creativity. “You have to start with something, but you rarely know what you’ll end up with,” she says. “Art is only partly what you see, but what you enable others to see.” Alongside a diverse range of artworks—large and small—there will also be jewellery, cards, and other handmade pieces, each reflecting a shared desire to create beautiful things. A special artwork will be offered in a silent auction, with all proceeds supporting Breast Cancer services. 5 @ ART will be exhibiting at The Old Library Omokoroa (TOLO) from Tuesday 6 January to Sunday 1 February, open 10am–4pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

9

about

TOLO Spaces

Our facility is used by community groups and private hirers. Our building is ideal for small, boutique events and meetings. We are happy to meet with you on site to discuss your requirements.

View the TOLO layout

The Gallery is an open space approximately 13m x 10m (see plan) and is used primarily to display art. Hireage is on a monthly basis .  We take no commission on sales when the hire fee has been paid.  We occasionally use the space for community-based events where there is no hire charge but an ‘in kind’ exchange is welcomed, usually in volunteer hours but other suggestions are welcome.

 

 

 The Community Space is an open space approximately 13m x 9m (see plan) and is used to display local art, craft and community information. The space can be re-configured if more free floor space is required.

 

The Meeting Room is a separate office space with a table and chairs, suitable for up to 8 people. The room may be hired by the hour/half day or whole day. Wi-fi is available.

 

 Outside is a small covered deck area with seating adjacent to a garden with car parking for up to 8 vehicles.  There is parking for a further two vehicles at the rear of the building plus street parking.

The kitchen includes a bench for food preparation. Equipment includes a small fridge with icebox, a microwave oven, a small pie oven, kettle/ZIP with an eclectic mix of cutlery, crockery, and glassware.

Contact us for full terms and conditions of hire.

 

TOLO Omokoroa

Internal Layout

The Old Library Omokoroa - TOLO

history

The TOLO Building

The site currently occupied by the Old Library building in McDonnell Street was previously used by Omokoroa’s Fire Station.  Subsequently in the early 2000s it served as the site engineer’s office during the construction of the Omokoroa wastewater treatment reticulation scheme.

The building was expanded and refitted as Council’s Omokoroa Service Centre and Library, opening in 2006.  Then, in 2019, when the Council ‘s Service Centre and Library moved to new premises in Western Avenue, the building was leased as a community resource.

We are interested to learn about the site/building’s history so, if you can shed some light on this, please get in touch.

Contact the team at TOLO

Do you have a question about TOLO? Drop us a line and we’ll get in touch.

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