6 Best Art Galleries in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Set within the coral limestone walls of the historic Beachcomber Building, the Bergman Gallery represents artists from the Cook Islands and the Pacific region.

The free art gallery in Avarua features ever-changing exhibitions in a spacious exhibition room across the courtyard from a quirky cafe with its own interesting pieces at "the vinyl revival club". The Bergman Gallery is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday 10 am to 12 pm. See more activities nearby in the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

Location: Coastal side of the main road (Ara Tapu), opposite Makea Tinirau Road, the eastern end of Avarua (north side of Rarotonga).

See the works of two bubbly "mamas", Maria File and Maureen Kemp, at the aptly named 2Mamas Gallery. They have a variety of paintings and prints on display and for sale at their gallery on the back roads of Arorangi.

Be inspired by stunning landscape paintings, flowers, Pacific wildlife and more. You can also find the 2Mamas at the Punanga Nui Market on a Saturday morning, which you can learn more about in the 5 Best Markets in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

The gallery in Arorangi is open from Monday to Wednesday, 9 am to 2 pm.

Location: The turnoff to 2Mamas Gallery is on the inland road (Ara Metua) just north of the turnoff to Highland Paradise, Arorangi (west side of Rarotonga).

Kota'a Design Studio is a contemporary Polynesian art and design studio in Muri that doubles as one of the most relaxed, creative spaces you'll find on Rarotonga, with seriously good coffee to boot.

Run by husband-and-wife duo Totaea and Grace, the studio is stocked almost entirely with their own original work, from retro-style Pacific travel posters and clothing to linocut prints, all produced with a quality standard that has already caught the attention of luxury resorts around the islands.

It's also the kind of place where you may well find yourself staying for an hour, with an espresso machine and a café-style hangout with couches, reference books and good music.

Call in for a browse or a coffee from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday and Sunday (on Saturdays, find them at the market).

For something that blurs the line between an art gallery, working studio and locally made gift shop, Te 'Are Tātatau Studio is well worth a browse.

Born from a family-run tattoo studio specialising in Cook Islands Māori designs, it has grown into a vibrant retail space and creative hub that stocks work from local artists aged 14 to 84.

Everything here is locally designed, created and made by Cook Islanders, from printed apparel, tea towels and parieo to wood carvings, handmade seed jewellery, woven putia baskets and tivaevae-inspired prints. You can even get customised jewellery and engraving done in-house.

The philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: authentic, locally made products that both locals and tourists genuinely want, with no "cheesy tourist souvenir stuff" in sight. Printing is done right there in the shop, and misprinted items are cleverly repurposed into bags to avoid waste.

If you want to go beyond browsing, the studio's creative workshop arm, Te 'Are Vananga, offers hands-on experiences including the "Parau Shell Carving Make-and-Take Workshop" and the "Pareu Printing Make-and-Take Workshop", both well worth booking ahead.

Te 'Are Tātatau Studio is open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

For an open-air art gallery, don't miss Manongi Sculpture Garden (also known as Papa Michel's Stone-Carving Studio).

This is one of Rarotonga's most quietly extraordinary experiences, where an 80-something master stone carver, Michel, sculpts for around seven hours a day, seven days a week, purely out of passion.

Entry is by donation, and visitors are welcome to wander freely through the garden, weaving past coconut palms and tropical trees to discover Michel's remarkable works up close.

The sculptures draw from both Cook Islands and international inspirations, from humpback whales, swordfish and Māori pendants to figures of Buddha, all set among well-kept gardens that make for some stunning photos.

Pieces are available for purchase. You can also catch Michel, along with his wife Sylvie from Manongi Aromatics, at the Punanga Nui Market every Saturday, where you can purchase both scents and carvings.

Discover a vibrant slice of Cook Islands culture at Ani's Art Gallery, also known as Art Box, nestled in Akaoa, Arorangi on Rarotonga's west side. This charming gallery showcases the work of local artist Ani, whose colourful creations draw inspiration from the islands' rich cultural heritage.

Through her art, Ani beautifully preserves and shares the myths, legends, and icons of her ancestors. You'll find an array of affordable pieces painted on various surfaces, including ply, tapa cloth, metal, canvas, and canvas boards.

Don't miss the eye-catching wall hangings crafted from thick cotton linen. Best of all, these unique souvenirs are customs-friendly and perfect for travellers to take home.

Location: Akaoa No.2 Road, Akaoa, Arorangi, west coast of Rarotonga.