A local artist is opening up her home studio to the public to raise funds for those in need in Vanuatu.

Lynne Sinclair Taylor has been painting and tutoring art professionally for more than 20 years, and moved to Tauranga from Hamilton two years ago.

She is no stranger to charity work, having used her art to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity (Cambodia) and many other charities.

In November Lynne and her husband will be visiting Vanuatu as part of a team from Tauranga to train and assist leaders from different Christian churches across the islands.

'We will also be bringing funds and easily transportable goods such as clothing and reading glasses,” says Lynne.

'The average Vanuatu income is about one third of ours in New Zealand and two thirds of the population are illiterate. Around 20 per cent of the people don't have adequate health services and 23 per cent of children under five years old are underweight.”

When she opens her studio to the public, visitors will have a chance to buy prints or original pieces, with 40 per cent of the sale price going towards Vanuatu.

'A small section has a Christian theme. But there is a wide range of paintings, everything from realism to abstract and in between.”

The studio at 15 Hartwell Place, Matua, will be open from 10am to 4pm daily (except Sunday morning) from Monday October 30 to Saturday November 11.

Contact Lynne on 021 121 9864, and find out more about her at www.lynnesinclairtaylor.com