Due to the success of The Real Ōpōtiki exhibition at Toi Tu Studio One in Auckland, Ōpōtiki art will continue its tour of the country with an exhibition in Tauranga this month.

The exhibition will be on display to the public for only for a short period in the Goddard Arcade just off Devonport Road and will kick off with a special opening ceremony on Friday evening.

The exhibition is a collection of art created by 21 new and emerging artists with strong connections to the Ōpōtiki district.

Ōpōtiki District Councillor Lyn Riesterer, who has helped bring the exhibition from concept to reality, says the first show on Ponsonby Road was very popular and provided momentum to roll out what is becoming a tour of other New Zealand cities.

'Auckland was a fantastic celebration of Ōpōtiki's nationally and internationally recognised artists and some incredibly talented emerging artists. We had a great response so we decided to pick up on that momentum and roll the exhibition out to other towns and cities.

'It is a two-fold win for us as it showcases the talent of Ōpōtiki and is also a fundraiser for Te Tāhuhu ō te Rangi, the community space, research centre and library planned for the district.”

Artists are sending in their works and preparing to fill the central Tauranga location with artworks from traditional landscapes, sculpture, photography, jewellery, Māori Pihe Pihe and hand-woven kete.

Fellow councillor and organising committee member Shona Browne says she's particularly pleased to see Auckland was just the beginning for The Real Ōpōtiki.

'We are starting to consider ourselves a ‘travelling exhibition' as we have invitations from other cities around New Zealand.

'The Real Ōpōtiki is a great way to showcase our fantastic art and artists up and down the country and raise funds for a valuable community project at the same time.”

The artists whose works appears in the exhibition are Te Mete, Sofia Minson, Roka Cameron, Tangimoe Clay, Anna Gedson, Andrew McLeod, Jamie Boynton, Anthonee Fermanis, David Poole, Bev Vellenweth, Dot Wilson, Fiona Kerr Gedson, Gina Matchitt, James Stanbridge, Katrin Kradelke, Jonathon White, Mark Anstis, Yvette van Raders, Horteera Riri, Tom Hume and Marilynn Webb.

The Real Ōpōtiki exhibition will be on display to the public in the Goddard Arcade just off Devonport Road from Saturday, November 12 to Sunday, November 20. For more information visit the Ōpōtiki District Council website at: www.odc.govt.nz