"It means we've been able to add some hands-on art activities to our community education programmes. Hundreds of local children have participated in these activities since we started them in mid-2016 and we have programmes planned throughout this
year."
Ally says there are three visual after-school art classes and two ukulele classes a week.
The 10 week visual art classes started on February 13.
The ukulele classes are run by "the world's greatest ukulele teacher", Glenys Courtney Strachan, says Ally.
"She's so much fun."
While the art classes for five to 12-year-olds are fun, there is also a serious side. There is a cost per class and families can pay per class instead of a bulk sum.
"We've deliberately kept it affordable for lower-income families and if people want to know the cost they just need to contact me and I'll let them know or they can checkout our website," says Ally.
There is also a scholarship scheme. This is for families who just can't afford the cost at all and if they've got a child who really, really loves art, Ally says.
"You know how sports clubs nurture and care for children who really loves sports and make it really easy for them to do the thing they love, and participate and excel-we're that for creative children."
Four scholarships have been donated, with one given out so far this year.
Ally encourages people to donate a scholarship. "It's tax deductible . . . [people] could do a term or a year depending on how generous they feel."
She says there are somany benefits to children doing art.
"[It] means they are expressing and exploring their own creativity. Once they start feeling confident in one area there is a flow-on to other areas in theirlives-they start becoming confident socially and gain confidence with other things.
"I think it's a lot to do with just knowing that the way they are is okay. So they might not be into rugby but being creative and artistic is just as
valuable and important."
Kiera Wilson, 8, and her brother Dara Wilson, 6, both love coming along to the visual art classes. Having fun and learning art is what Kiera enjoys most.
"I like painting as you can do anything you want and it's delicate."
Aurora Rogers-Scott, 7, says she likes making both friends and art. During her visual after-school classes Ally introduces the children to an artist, a mix of New Zealand and international artists, and shows them their work.
"We talk a bit about their work, how they've made their work.We then work in the same medium and [the kids] are encouraged to give it a try. As an artist it's always good adding strings to your bow."
Looking forward Ally wants to get in other tutors.
"It's really important for the children to learn from other people and things that people do well. The cool thing about getting inartists as tutors is that they are so passionate about what they do, and they know tips and tricks."
She says she would "absolutely" be into people approaching her offering to be tutors.
"What's really important is how they relate to the children. They don't necessarily need to have qualifications, they just really need to understand the kids."
She says there is lots planned for the year ahead.
"We'll be involved in Children's Day comingup onMarch 4 and 5, and workshops running for rest of the year.
"It's lovely the community that is happening here-recognising each other as like minded, it's a family atmosphere, it's really cool."
- For more information or to enrol in classes visit www.childrensarthouse.wixsite.com/ arthouserotorua or call (07) 347 0995 or (027) 921 8652.
- Georgina Harris is the Rotorua Weekender editor
