CHILDREN’S ART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 6

CHILDREN’S ART

VISITS BY SCHOOLS SEVEN THOUSAND VIEW EXHIBITION Since the children’s centennial art exhibition was opened at the Otago Museum two weeks ago 7000 pupils of city, suburban and country schools have inspected the pictures in the display. By the time the exhibition closes next week 3000 more children will have viewed it bringing the total to approximately 10,000. Not only have pupils of city and nearby secondary and primary schools visited the museum in the past fortnight but country children from as far afield as Naseby, Wedderburn, Ida Valley, Waihola and Eastern Districts (Palmerston) have been taken to see the display. The children are formed into groups of 12 and spend at least an hour inspecting the pictures and receiving instruction. Some of the schools, mainly country ones, have spent half a day at the exhibition. The children range from Standard I to Form VI pupils and all have shown keen interest in the pictures. While inspecting the exhibition, the children have also received an object lesson in the evils of vandalism. The pictures that were slashed with pocket knives have been left in position and almost every child seeing the damage caused expresses dismay at the wanton destruction. From the children’s comments it appears that they are deeply impressed with the lesson taught by the defacement of the pictures.