Art Galleries, Life at No.22, Snapshots of Tauranga

Snapshots of Tauranga #9

Suzanne

Chilly, westerly winds blew me sideways, though not completely off my bike. Thankfully, I arrived at my destination, the Tauranga Art Gallery, still astride on my bike. This was a must do stop before I headed further west using Tauranga’s numerous cycle trails.

As it was near impossible to capture me, here’s an image of a seemingly skilled cyclist and a few of us watching.

The Acorn Foundation – Junior Art Awards is proudly presented by the Tauranga Art Gallery just down the road from us. These awards were established in 2021, relatively young, though with plenty of potential in creating budding future artists. I really enjoyed how our local youth expressed themselves creatively and created original pieces of artwork that had formed part of an exhibition in the Gallery.

This exhibition showcases a diverse of exceptional talent from children between 4-18 years of age who live in the Bay of Plenty. Last years Awards attracted entries from throughout the region.

The theme Ahurea Tuakiri – Cultural Identity was open to interpretation. The creative responses from children provide a snapshot of the playful, whimsical, and honest ways that they view the world. The following are ones that captured my imagination and there were many that used their vries cultures and countries to depict their identity as well as the many other facets of life that make us who we are, family, friends, hobbies, religion, and our relationship to the natural world.

Creative Works

Cover image

Minh and Kane, now in their late teens and early 20s, made this cardboard replica of our motorhome many years ago as young children barely started school.
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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

24 thoughts on “Snapshots of Tauranga #9”

    1. There was quite a few, Jo, too many to put on this post, just enough to give you an idea of what was shown. Incredibly talented children.
      I was shaking my head in wonderment at their creativity and imagination; and thinking there was no way I could’ve thought of that at their age.

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  4. agree, I love B&W photos….at one time in my life I learned how to develop and print using an enlarger, but you yeah, dark and light….talented artists…the Tauranga City winner caught my attention..

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  5. It’s so much more uplifting to see youngsters produce a work of art rather than those who think it’s a good idea to destroy it. There are some very talented young people around judging from what’s on display here Suzanne.

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    1. You’re right, Malc. It is very uplifting, and I was pleasantly surprised with their skill and creativity. It does seem we hear all the bad news regarding youth instead of all the positives. I must visit the gallery soon. Time seems to be whizzing by too quickly without getting everything done.

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  6. Is the art gallery back in its renovated home now? It was closed when we visited in November, but a small pop up gallery was across the road from the library. Thank you for showing us this art work. Children have such amazingly imaginative ideas. I particularly admired the thumb print with all her thoughts and things she loved.

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    1. You’re welcome, Pauline. It’s been in the same place on the corner for years. Must’ve temporarily closed. The pop-up one seems to be a permanent fixture until I suppose the construction is finished and businesses return.
      The thumb print artwork is very creative.

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        1. Slight exaggeration, Pauline. Progress is like that. Inconvenient. Many cities are in the midst of change. We enjoy the central location it suits our lifestyle. Very close to the harbour, beach, amenities’, cycleways etc

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    1. So do I, Sarah. I think it also gives them confidence to succeed in anything they choose to do. No.63 is a favourite of mine. Unfortunately, I didn’t write down or take images of the artworks.

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    1. It is clever, isn’t it. It is us. Can you see the scruffy beard? Kane was amazing at creating Lego master pieces now studying I.T., and Minh is creative, too, with a double degree in law and business. Taught dance while studying and working part-time. Busy girl.

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    1. You’re very welcome, Eilene. I was surprised at the skill level. Though I suppose if someone has that talent and it’s nutured by others, then this is the result. Their is something special about children’s art. I still have art drawn by nieces.

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