After five years in charge of helping to shape Tauranga City's appreciation of art and its role in the community, Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson is moving on.

'After 11 years at Tauranga Art Gallery - five of those as director - it's time to take time out and have a change, and to enjoy a break,” she says.

Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson. Photo: David Tauranga.

Penelope is looking at other opportunities, and already has one project underway before finishing up at the gallery in late January.

'I leave the gallery in good heart, and with many great memories,” she adds.

Her commitment and passion in this role has helped to shape Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty's acknowledgement of art, and has supported the community to better understand the role of a public art gallery and the benefits it delivers.

'We have an outstanding line-up of exhibitions both current and up-coming, a full programme of events including music, artist and expert talks and theatre and a fantastic schools education programme.

'Three of our past exhibitions are now touring, which is wonderful for a gallery of our size. As well as this we have an exceptional team at the gallery."

Penelope has overseen many exhibitions - the most memorable include the award-winning Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson and Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective.

Both are now touring, with the Lynley Dodd exhibition in Australia.

Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson was named best exhibition under $20,000 at the New Zealand Museum Awards in April this year. It was created and curated by Penelope in conjunction with the artist.

The accompanying book, co-written by Penelope and Robin Woodward, is in its second printing.

Exhibitions of work from artists the gallery collects - Nigel Brown, Edward Bullmore and Dame Robin White - have also been highlights.

Penelope initiated some major exhibitions for the gallery, including the upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year from London's Natural History Museum.

She has been involved in the Bay of Plenty arts community, speaking to many groups to share her passion for art, and has also presented at international conferences.

During her time the gallery's collection has grown from nothing to about 500 works. The gallery has also gone from deficit to surplus in her time as director.

More than 8000 school children visited the gallery last year.