High calibre support for Glenbervie School art auction

George Lincoln, Bella Monteith and Ruby Waldegrave with student's and celebrities' artworks.

Headlining an auction of artworks by Glenbervie School students and their well-known supporters will be emerging artist, Jacinda Ardern.

The Prime Minister has donated her second original drawing to a Whangārei art fundraiser, the first being a ''doodle'' she gave for Northland Arts Trust's recent Great Plates auction.

As well as works by every pupil at the school, pieces in the school online auction will include donations from Deputy PM Winston Peters, National Party Leader Simon Bridges, Sir Michael Hill, weta workshop animator Shinji Dawson and well known and talented local artists including Auckland-based Flox and local potter Greg Barron.

Bella Monteith holds the cartoon donated by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for Glenbervie School's online art auction.

Next week's auction organised by the semi-rural school's Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) will raise funds for future artist programmes.

"We want to show the school children that art can continue outside of the classroom, whether that be through a life-long hobby, a vocation, or simply something you do for fun,'' school principal Braden Eades said.

"All money raised by the art auction will support an artist-in-residence programme at the school which will bring local artists, musicians, and other creatives in to share their skills and perspectives with students.

''This unique creative process will create memorable moments in the students' lives. Research shows positive outcomes for students of artist residencies such as an increase in their critical vocabulary and critical thinking skills expressed through writing and class discussion.''

The public can view all art auction works at the family-friendly opening time of 11am at the school on Monday. Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai will officially launch the event.

The exhibition will also be open to the public on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2.30pm – 6pm, with the online auction closing at 6pm on Thursday.

It can also be viewed and bids made through trade.me/glenbervieschool or search Glenberiveschool on Trademe.

* Ardern's doodle titled The Political Cycle sold for $2000 in the Great Plates auction.