The Bay of Plenty Times
The Tauranga Art Gallery has reached out to youth with the formation of a new "Young Friends of the Gallery" group.

Launched last week the group has started with a membership of 85 senior students from local secondary schools who congregated at the gallery for the occasion. The group intends to encourage young art lovers to extend their knowledge and appreciation of art through dedicated visits to the gallery, floortalks, discussions and visits to other galleries and artists' studios.

Many of the students are studying art at school and their involvement with the "Young Friends" group will assist them with their studies and help them gain a better understanding of the industry with a view towards careers in the arts.

Gallery director Penelope Jackson says one of the hardest jobs is getting people to make their first visit to the facility. Because it is only two-and-half years old many students had not visited the gallery when younger.

Read the full story; http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/entertainment/news/young-gallery-friends-sought/3918192/