Pint-sized superheroes find love for art via creative gallery program

Young children are discovering the wonders of art through a creative gallery program at the Art Gallery of NSW. The 'Super Art Heroes' initiative, designed for preschool-aged children, transforms gallery visits into an engaging adventure. Children from John Brotchie Nursery School donned patchwork capes for their mission to find famous artworks, excitedly identifying pieces like Sidney Nolan's 'Ned Kelly'. The program utilizes storytelling, role-play, and movement to teach four-year-olds about shapes, color, and form, making art concepts accessible and fun. Teacher Deborah Bennetts noted that parents might hesitate to bring young children to an art gallery, fearing they might damage valuable pieces. However, she emphasized the importance of early exposure to art, stating, "It's really important for children to see art, and artists to see how people can create beautiful things." The gallery visits aim to spark creativity, encouraging children to create their own beautiful things. Principal Rebecca Andrews, who has been bringing preschoolers to the gallery for two decades, shared her own childhood joy from such visits. She believes seeing the real artworks, with their vivid colors and frames, is an "absolutely amazing thing for children," often leading to increased enthusiasm for art in the classroom.

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Look! It's Ned Kelly!