Rotorua Intermediate Art Show

Fifty children from Rotorua Intermediate have been given the chance to exhibit their artwork in a professional gallery.

The exhibition is being staged at the Elim Gallery from October 26 to November 1 and opens tomorrow night.

Teacher Ellen Harris said the idea for the exhibition came about after wanting to encourage and support one of her talented art pupils.

"I wanted to encourage and support Emily so she could develop confidence and belief in herself," she said. "We have also started having house art days, where all teachers would teach a different skill and work with a different medium. I wanted a way to make that more purposeful."

Her next idea was to have an exhibition at a gallery, so she approached Elim, as they seemed a "good fit" for the school.

"It's about providing our students with the opportunity to develop their learning in a real-life context."

Emily Sims, 13, has entered one of her pencil sketches, of which she has many. She enjoys drawing and often does it in her spare time and when she's bored. Emily is hoping her parents will be able to attend the exhibition to see her work.

Reshaun Kinnaird, 12, said he had entered a still life painting of a flower that he had done earlier in the year.

"It was my best art work at our house art day.

"I'm very, very excited and am going to try and bring my family along."

Steyn de Buys, 13, will have his still life of a sunflower on display.

"I like art. It was my first time doing that kind of art. I mostly do sketches in my spare time. I'm excited to have my art up there."

Elim Gallery director Jasmine Robbins said giving the pupils an exhibition would give them a taste of what it was like to be an artist.

"We thought it would be quite a cool exercise for the kids and gave them a copy of the contract we give to our artists, to give them a real experience of what it is to be an artist. All the art will be for sale."

Mrs Robbins said a range of work would be on show from some paintings to photographs, designs, life drawings and sketches.

"We want to support the community and local kids. I'm hoping all the parents and other interested people will come and support it."

The Rotorua Intermediate Art Show opening runs from 5pm to 6pm tomorrow at Elim Gallery, 1149 Eruera St. All welcome, drinks and nibbles provided.