Koula and Theo Vellinga met in Limassol, Cyprus in 1953. They fell in love and were married three months later.

Over the next 52 years of married life, although having no children, they travelled and lived in many countries. They had a full life well lived, during which they collected a lot of treasures along the way.

After marrying they set up home in Holland, and in 1969 relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, where Theo worked as a director of a dairy factory.

On Theo's retirement in 1976, the couple came to New Zealand on holiday and eventually moved here, purchasing a property in Whakamarama, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

The Vellingas' first art purchase was a painting by Josef Verheyen (1899-1976) in Holland, which they hung proudly in their living room.

Over the years they added to their collection, buying through local galleries and taking a close interest in the artists as well as the art. Their home in Whakamarama became so full of artworks that some new acquisitions were simply placed against the walls.

Theo passed away in 2005 after being in care from Parkinson's disease for some years. Koula continued to actively collect art, travelling to exhibitions and auctions in Hamilton and Auckland as well as becoming a well known and loved figure on the Bay of Plenty art scene.

As her mobility diminished, Koula eventually went into care and passed away in 2014.

Her collection of paintings, known as The Koula Collection, is on display today at Baycourt, and is available to purchase and enjoy.

The auction of her collection will be held on Monday and represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from a single collection assembled over four decades with a definite local flavour.

It's clear when viewing the collection that Koula enjoyed a wide variety of art covering a full range of styles, subjects, sizes and values. She and Theo purchased many of the works from local Tauranga galleries, and there is a definite Bay of Plenty bias in the collection. It's appropriate, therefore, that the Fine Art Society New Zealand are holding the auction in Tauranga to give local collectors an opportunity to begin or add to their own art collection.

Estimates in the auction catalogue range from $200- $18000, providing opportunity for new collectors to purchase quality art at reasonable prices.

The auction of the Koula Collection is the fourth art auction held in Tauranga by Fine Art Society New Zealand and will take place on Monday April 3 commencing at 6.30pm at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre.

Viewing of the Koula Collection is on today from 10am-4pm and tomorrow from 9am-1pm. All intending bidders are required to register for a bidding number prior to the auction commencing.

Weekend School, by Arthur Dagley (1919-1998) (acrylic on board).