Time to put the pencils away

A Kerikeri gallery run by youth for youth is about to close its doors after four months of art shows, kids' art classes and just getting together and making art.

"The Ones with Pencils", an art co-op based in Cobham Road, is run by volunteers, most of them still at school. Even its older members are almost all in their teens.

As well as showing and selling work by budding Kerikeri artists, they run after-school classes and holiday activities for children.

Co-op member Ella Lawrence-Donaldson, 18, said the gallery's success had far exceeded her expectations.

"We feel very proud of what we've done. We're sad we can't keep doing it, because we love it," she said.

Lack of funding to cover rent and other expenses was one reason behind the pending closure, along with volunteers having difficulty balancing work in the gallery with school and other commitments.

A final series of daily activities for children up to 12 years old, ranging from a knitting club to papier-m?ché and sock puppets, has been organised for the school holidays, and next week all artwork will be reduced by 20 per cent.

Ella said it wouldn't be her last time in a youth-oriented art co-op, and she would use what she had learnt from The Ones with Pencils to make a future gallery even better.

"I love it. It's just what I want to do," she said.

"I love seeing people who are new to this world, who haven't held a paint brush before, let loose to create and discover themselves."

Ella said members also used the space as a studio, finding it gave them far greater motivation and inspiration than working at home.

They were grateful to the Kerikeri community for the support and encouragement they had been shown. The gallery also received a $1500 grant from the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board to help pay for rent and power.

Work on show includes paintings, drawings, photography and a mural created by Matt Worthington at the recent Ocean and Orchard Festival.

The gallery is open 10am-4pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am-12.30pm on Saturday.

For the school holiday schedule see theoneswithpencils on Facebook, email theoneswithpencils@gmail.com, or call/txt (021) 082-71940. Holiday classes cost $10.