Young artists from Apii Te Uki are excited to share their hard work in the form of art which will be exhibited at the Islander Hotel tonight.

Tonight’s Apii Te Uki Ou Art Exhibition & Auction is a night not to be missed!

Students from year three upwards will be showcasing their art which has been a part of the school’s Art Extension Programme. The event is the end result of two terms of Art Extension Classes and will showcase the students' finished artworks and celebrate their achievement by giving them a chance to be part of an exhibition that will culminate with an auction. Students who show a natural aptitude to art in their class are selected and mentored by both teachers and local artists over the year. The event allows all art lovers to be able to attend and possibly take home a piece of art produced locally by our very own young artists.

The event will take place at the Islander Hotel with the viewing starting at 5pm and the auction kicking off at 6pm.

Funds raised at the auction will contribute to upholding the quality of the Inclusive Education model at Apii Te Uki Ou. These funds ensure the school has adequate resources and programmes for those students who have additional needs and require a little more support to reach their potential.

Mark Harris, principal of Apii Te Uki Ou, said: “The students in this programme have been working extremely hard dedicating their lunchtimes, after school and weekends to getting their art pieces to a very high standard.”

“I know many are nervously excited for the evening where their work goes on show for the whole community to enjoy. It is a very proud moment for our learners to see their artwork being so highly sought after by our community at auction. I believe it promotes the idea for our learners that a future as an artist can be a viable career pathway.”

Some of the senior students exhibiting have been involved in the extension programme for four years now, under the tutelage of the school’s specialist art teacher, Shannon Harris.

Anna Shaw holding up her vibrant piece depicting a tropical sunset. SUPPLIED/21102703

The principal said that throughout their time with her “you can really see the growth in their skill levels”.

He said that the school has always had a fantastic level of support from the families of the students and more increasingly from the wider business, artist and art collector community.

Over the last few years, they have even had international interest with this year sure to be no different. A handful of overseas buyers have already committed to the auction and are wanting to ensure there are facilities for them to place their bids when the pieces they want take the stand.

“The impact of this extension programme has not only been extremely beneficial in a curriculum sense, taking our budding artists’ skills to the next level and growing their confidence. It has also strengthened our school’s inclusive education programme where the funds raised on the night go into ensuring our school can confidently meet the needs of all learners regardless of their needs and challenges,” the principal said.

“Apii Te Uki Ou prides itself on offering an education where everyone can reach their potential and this extension programme and auction strengthens our ability to do so.”