When Relationship Services opens the doors for a public open day next month, works of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic's first art graduates will also be on display and for sale.

Relationship Services has relocated from 13th Avenue to 9 Brookfield Terrace, in offices which are part of the St Stephen's Methodist Church in Otumoetai.
The open day and exhibition is on February 10 from 11.30am-3pm. Relationship Services BOP/Gisborne area manager Ash Smart says it will be a celebration of the move to new premises.
Artist and polytechnic Diploma in Art – Aka Rakai Toi graduate Linda Munn has coordinated the art sale, which will include works from Rowena Chapman, Angela McKenzie, Jacqui Reynard, Rebecca Poppin, Justine Munn and herself. The 24 paintings and sculptures on display will be up for silent auction throughout the day.
'We'd also be happy to accept donations of pieces on sale that buyers want to give to our organisation,” says Ash. These could be hung with a special plaque to commemorate the donation.
Linda's connection with Relationship Services began when the organisation purchased two of her works from an end of year exhibition at the polytechnic. These works, ‘I am not a Ka-nary' and ‘Maori Madonna', now hang in the centre's waiting room.
'The themes in her artwork really related to the counselling services we offer,” says Tauranga Relationship Services manager Kiri Prentice.
'And it was a nice opportunity to support the polytechnic, which we have had a long relationship with.” Until two years ago when Government funding changed, Relationship Services offered adult education programmes in conjunction with the polytechnic.
Linda is delighted to be able to support Relationship Services through her art.
'People come here for counselling and support. Paint does that for me. I call art my Prozac.”
There will also be a barbecue, plus a bouncy castle and small inflatable slide to keep children amused.