Raetihi gallery encourages kids to get creative

Leonie Cadman

Creative kids in Raetihi are a constant pleasure for Barbed Wire Gallery owner Leonie Cadman.

Two old school desks were initially set up inside the gallery a year ago because so many children were popping in to have a look after school, she said.

"So I decided to encourage them to be creative ... paint, draw anything and gave them their own space."

And the results have been wonderful, she said.

"These kids are talented and we love their work."

There are 10 children regularly going into the gallery which is open seven days a week to create art, she said.

"So holding an end of year children's art exhibition is perfect."

So far some of the art by the children has been of such a high calibre they took places in the junior section of the Waimarino Art Show in August, she said.

A small ante room off the main gallery is dedicated to the young artists.

"They are so good and we're very proud of them and we want everyone to see and enjoy their art."