Me and my job: Gallery director - 'I love to learn'

PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

Name: Penelope Jackson
Job title: Director
Company: Tauranga Art Gallery

What does your job involve?

I'm responsible for the public art gallery of Tauranga. It's a big job and includes curating exhibitions, writing publications, staff training, budgeting, working with artists, giving talks, baking and so on.

What's the most challenging aspect of your role?

Probably the people who don't understand what a public art gallery does. Some still think that you can hire a gallery and show your works or that we sell art. That's not the case. I make the analogy _ would you expect to buy art from Te Papa or rent a gallery at Auckland Art Gallery. Simply, no. I guess we still have a way to go with inducting our audience as there is not a history in Tauranga of cultural organisations such as a museum. As time goes by, more and more people appreciate the value and significance of cultural organisations. Creative thinking is our way into the future and the public art gallery can begin those conversations.

What's your proudest work moment?

Gosh, that's a hard one to answer. I feel very proud to be part of this organisation and I've now been with the gallery for a decade so seen it evolve from its project phase right through to being a leading New Zealand regional art gallery. Last year, the book I wrote with co-author, Robin Woodward, about Jeff Thomson, sold out. You can't do much better than that. I'm very proud that we have three exhibitions touring at the moment: Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson, Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective, and With bold needle & thread: the Rosemary McLeod Collection. There are not many other galleries in the country that could boast this and we have fewer than 10 full-time staff.

What training/experience have you had to prepare for your role?

I began my working career as a secondary school teacher and went on to teach at tertiary level. I started my gallery career at the public art gallery in Christchurch as the education officer before having a brief interlude doing the family thing and travelling. Ending up in Tauranga gave me the opportunity to get involved with the establishment of the gallery as well as continuing to study and write. I love to learn and have several qualifications under my belt including two masters degrees in art history.

What's the best career advice you've received?

I'm still waiting for this.

What's the most important thing your current role has taught you?

Stand up for what you're passionate about and don't let your guard down when it comes to standards.

How would you describe your work wardrobe?

Well, today it's somewhat sensible because I rode my Vespa to work. More often than not my choices include something black - our industry calls it Gallery Black. I have a weakness for Minnie Cooper shoes and my collection includes ones of quite intense colours. I also love bags - matching handbags for the Minnie Cooper shoes - and my favourite work bag is my red leather satchel made by the Cambridge Satchel Company. It reminds me of my brown leather kindergarten satchel, which I still have.