Aotea Art Association...Renovation & Conversion of former Freemasons' Lodge 17 to create an art gallery and homestay accommodation.

Aotea Art Association...Renovation & Conversion Of Former Freemasons' Lodge 17 To Create An Art Gallery And Homestay Accommodation.

Project 2018-04-11 14:59:58 +1200

 776 Rings Road, Coromandel Town, formerly  Freemasons' Lodge 17.

The objective is to  create a use for this building so that it may be preserved and our proposal is to  create an art gallery for local and overseas artists and incorporate  teaching  of English for speakers of other language, a cultural exchange.  There is an existing library of  approximately 8,500 volumes.

There is also  space in the establishing garden for  permanent sculptures. The planting began in June 2015 with a view to being organic and providing food for residents. Olives, apple,  banana, avocado were planted in addition to a range of herbs including lavender, mustard, coriander and parsley.

 A resident Manager is required, to live in the building.

 This building was erected circa 1897/8 with a lean-to addition around 1815. The timber is locally sourced kauri and rimu. The linoleum dado lining is likely come from Dundee, Scotland, likewise the chequered central square. This has hand-painted tassells. The scrim has been removed, together with the single layer of blue wall-paper exposing rough-sawn sarking boards. There is building paper behind the boards.

The proposed legal structure is likely to be either a Trust or a Private Limited Liability Company and  contributors to the project will receive an audit by a registered Auditor showing use of funds.

Income  is to be generated from  sales of artworks (created on the site by students) and by way of Membership Fee together with homestay for up to 6 guests. A website will offer ilmited edition prints to a global market.

Set up costs and some work is to be completed which includes..

1) Plasterboard (gib board) to the interior walls of the main Hall and ceiling of the Foyer and a  skim-coat of plaster to this ($2,400 approx.) 

2) Upgrading to  shower ($380 approx.)

3) Installation of a  gas hotwater supply. ($650 approx.)

4) Erection of a fence on the street frontages. ($2,500 approx.)

5) Creation  of a website. ($400). Personal Assistant until Opening ($640)

6) Council Fees if any.

7) 6.5% to Pledgeme ($4988)

8) $5,500 renew roofing at lean-to

9) Supply and erection of shelving. ($800)

10) Ongoing rates and insurance plus existing  small loan, per annum ($7800)

11) Ongoing maintenance, including garden, per annum ($600)

12) Installation of Solar panels (on stands in the garden) and gas H.W. ($1,400)

 Contingencies 10% $2766

TOTAL $30,424

Any Members who are to be contributing artists may receive additional benefits, including working holiday residency. For visa enquiries please consult https://www.nzis.co.nz. 

For those wishing to take part in the English Language/ESOL/Art courses and or wishing to  become a resident artist/tutor please contact us directly at [email protected]. Please put Aotea Gallery in the subject heading.

We also have workshops on Sustainable Design and Eco-architecture and building.

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