Rarotonga & Cook Islands Art

Inspired by the colours and climate of the Pacific

Beachcomber

An historic building in Avarua

now an Art Gallery  

If you're keen to purchase some locally produced art or craft whilst on holiday in Rarotonga, then visit The Beachcomber Art Gallery. The art gallery showcases Cook Islands black pearls and other Pacific arts and crafts.

The History of the Beachcomber Art Gallery

The Beachcomber building was constructed by the London Missionary Society (LMS) in 1843. It was first used as a Sunday school then for church and community functions until 1968 until the church council decided that it needed more room for its growing congregation.

The new design to enlarge the building had a second story, however as work on removing the roof began, fate intervened in the form of Cyclone Dolly, the hurricane completing what the workers had started.

Work on the building stopped soon after as the architect of the day decided that the limestone walls were unlikely to carry the weight of a second story due to the walls containing a lot of moisture. The church council then decided to bulldoze the old walls and replace them with a new building.

However, the paramount chief of the time, Makea Teremoana Ariki, opposed the removal of the old walls and threatened to confiscate her title land that the walls stood on if they proceeded.

The church council decided to build a new community hall closer to their church and the old Sunday School was abandoned.

In 1992 the old building was rescued from the elements and fully restored to house ‘Beachcomber’.

Today, the historic 160-year-old historical landmark showcases the best of Cook Islands art and preserves the history of a building that has schooled a former Prime Minister, housed Parliament and witnessed a passage of time that forever changed this Island nation.

From the pristine lagoons of the Northern Cook Islands and the South Pacific the mythical black pearl has become the most fascinating and sought after gem, inspiring independent collection in every major jewellery house across the globe.

The Beachcomber is proud to feature a most seductive range of fine lack pearl jewellery along with ancient art of glass craftsmanship, modern art of shell and pearl carving and new styles of woodcraft. View Beachcomber's pearls.

There is also a stunning collection of contemporary art from a new generation of Cook Islanders keen to re-tell an old story of their rich cultural heritage. Regular exhibits at the Beachcomber feature local artists Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tim Manavaroa Buchanan and Judith Kunzle.

Art by local artists including Tim Manavaroa Buchanan and Judith Kunzel can also be viewed at: