Kids drawn to chalk art

A chalk masterpiece artfully coloured in by scores of children is adorning Red Square in Tauranga.

Yesterday was the first Colouring Book City chalk art day, at which volunteers drew outlines of pictures inspired by children's book Uncle Glen's Cabbages, illustrated by Pyes Pa woman Sharon O'Callaghan.

Lillybeth Melmoth, mayor of Colouring Book City, said yesterday was the first of three colouring events coming up, the next to be held on January 20 outside Books A Plenty.

Mrs Melmoth aimed to create permanent outlines at parks throughout the city for anyone to be able to colour in. This was the first step towards that aim, and was put together with the help of funding from the Creative Community Scheme.

"We created an outline, then invited the public to add their own drawings, then colour it all in using their imaginations," Mrs Melmoth said.

At Red Square yesterday were friends Meila Stewart, 8, and Neve Fitzgerald, 9.

The two girls had drawn their own pictures on the concrete and were having a lot of fun.

"We drew a big flower and drawings of ourselves," Neve said.

"We've been drawing ice creams as well. I sometimes draw in chalk on my driveway at home," Meila said.