Katherine Hoby Tauranga Art Gallery Arts Insight

Wrapped in soft sheets, draped in bath towels, or entwined in tissue, the items were brought to the Gallery like carefully swaddled babies.

During the second Antiques & Treasures Roadshow at Tauranga Art Gallery on 8 June, we saw it all.

Paintings, vases, books and quirky objects like a 1920s toaster – still operational, which looked like it might be set to give Carson a fit on Downton Abbey.

But the best thing we saw and experienced during the day was the community engagement.

There was a bit of a wait for assessments by the team from Art+Object at times, but this often led to a curious lean towards - or an inquisitive question about - an item on the lap of a neighbouring stranger.

Most wanted to share their stories, whether it be an inherited family item, a wedding gift from 40 years ago, or a crafty garage sale find. It was all part of the fun of the day.

The hot cups of tea and home baking generously provided by Friends of the Gallery helped quench busy Gallery goers as they sat in the Education Studio to ponder new information gleaned, or waited for a verdict on an item still under wraps.

And much like our very successful schools education programme – which sees about 9500 children through the Gallery every year - it was lovely to hear lots of warm voices in the Atrium.

The inflection of questions back and forward. The laughter at a fun story of origin. The hum of contemplation about a history given.

The second year of sharing and stories during the Roadshow underlined for us that all the work involved in such an event is very worthwhile. With the assessments, you never know what you're going to get. But with the people, we now know for sure. Authentic all the way.