Prints popular drawcard

Kerikeri High School student Nathan Neale makes his choice. Photo / Supplied

A scheme designed to interest young people in contemporary art resulted in 40 prints being sold to budding Northland art enthusiasts.

Adults were banned from the Muka Youth Prints show at Kaan Zamaan Gallery in Kerikeri last weekend, but anyone aged 18 or under could buy an original lithograph by a selection of top New Zealand and international artists.

The artists' signatures were covered to make sure the gallery's young visitors weren't swayed in their choices by fame or investment potential. The scheme has been running for 28 years but this was its first time in Kerikeri.

New Zealand artists taking part this year included John Reynolds, Jan Evans and John Papas.

Past years have included works from Otis Frizzell, Ralph Hotere and Tony Fomison.

Founder Magda van Gils said art enthusiasts visiting the show ranged in age from 3 to 18.

A few were second-generation Muka print-buyers.

The exhibition started in Invercargill each year and slowly worked its way north.

Fellow Belgian Frans Baetens said the response in Kerikeri had been good, especially considering it was a town of just 6000 people.