Children’s art has been put on display at different locations across South Australia for the ‘What’s important to me?’ children’s art exhibition, a state-wide collaboration between five of the six Communities for Children Facilitating Partners.

Communities for Children is a national program funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and facilitated in South Australia by AnglicareSA in two sites, Playford and Onkaparinga, with the latter leading this art project.

The art project, which has been running annually since 2013, encourages children aged up to 13 to express what is important to them through a drawing or painting. They also write an accompanying description in their own words, giving them a voice to share their feelings, interests, and aspirations.

Firmly rooted in the community, the art project has grown significantly at AnglicareSA’s Playford and Onkaparinga sites, with each receiving more than 500 pieces of artwork a year thanks to strong partnerships with local schools, kindergartens, community and children’s centres, libraries, and service providers.  

AnglicareSA Communities for Children Onkaparinga Community Development Worker, Tammi Lancaster, said each artwork piece offers a unique window into the child’s world, from stick-figure families and favourite pets, to vibrant depictions of cultural traditions and nature.

The original artwork is then displayed by the different Communities for Children Facilitating Partners state-wide, with AnglicareSA Playford and Onkaparinga sites choosing to run art exhibitions at a local community centre or library every year during National Families Week.  

At each exhibition, visitors receive a voting slip and choose their three favourite artworks, with the top 20 winning a prize.

 

 

Tammi said the exhibition was a celebration of children, their creativity, and most importantly, their voices.

“It’s been amazing to see what matters most to the children,” Tammi said.

“It reminds us to appreciate the little moments.”

Budding artist Ahlia, who saw her artwork displayed in one of the art exhibitions, said she was impressed with all of the works submitted by her peers.

“It was very impressive and took a lot of work,” Ahlia said.

“All of them are stunning! Amazing work, and good luck to everyone.”

The winning artworks from each of the Communities for Children Facilitating Partners also feature in the yearly Creative Kids Family Calendar, which is released toward the end of each year, coinciding with National Children’s Week in October.

For more information, contact Communities for Children:

• Playford (north): cfcplayford@anglicaresa.com.au or 8209 5754
• Onkaparinga (south): cfc@anglicaresa.com.au or 8392 3194