Creative Kids: Art Play Workshops at Narellan Town Centre

Art Play is public art

Over the past two weeks, kids have had the opportunity at Narellan Town Centre to take part in  ‘Art Play’ workshops, a form of public art.

The Art Play workshops, coordinated between the Narellan Town Centre and the Alan Baker Art Gallery, were aimed at children aged 5 to 12 years.

The session has been run every weekday between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm, from  Monday 7 July to  Friday 11 July and from Monday 14 July to Friday 18 July.

The Art Play took place in the Centre Court (near Woolworths) of the shopping centre. The sessions were free, and no bookings were required.

Art Play activities

The Narellan Town Centre management engaged the professional expertise of the Camden Council Alan Baker Art Gallery staff to conduct the sessions.

The Narellan Town Centre webpage states

Each session is facilitated by talented local artists and offers kids the chance to explore different materials, styles, and techniques. With a new activity each day, there’s always something fresh to discover – perfect for budding artists and creative kids! (NTC 2025)

The sessions engaged the children’s creativity and playfulness.

The session’s activities include: Painted Rock Buddies; Create Clay Critters; Personalised Pencil Cases; Mini Beast Mobiles; Decorative Tote Bags; Indigenous door hangers; Australian Animals and Boomerangs; Best Friend Picture Frames; Create your own Jigsaw Puzzle; Create an abstract art piece (NTC 2025)

Lots of little budding artists at Art Play

The Art Play sessions were very popular, with queues forming up before opening time each day.

The Art Play sessions provided a break for frazzled mums during the school holidays and provided a form of free entertainment for the kids. No planning was required. It took some of the pressure off what to do with the kids in the school holidays.

Many budding artists, accompanied by their parents, grandparents, and caregivers, took the opportunity to participate in these creative sessions.

Organiser Cathy says, ‘Each session has seen over 200 children take part and the children have enjoyed the sessions.’

The sessions have been well-organised, with art materials, tables and chairs, assisted by gallery staff and helpers in an enclosed space in the shopping centre.

 From the shopping centre management’s point of view, it encouraged lots of foot traffic through the centre.

One website offering kids’ art activities during the school holidays claimed that they took the stress out of planning school holiday activities for parents by providing a program of activities for the children. (https://www.pinotandpicasso.com.au/kids-art-classes-and-fun-school-holidays-activities/)

Art – an opportunity to develop children’s skills

Art is an excellent way for children to gain many new skills.

The Pennsylvania State University argues that art is not a product. It is a process of learning and creating that involves exploring, discovering and experimenting. (PSU 2023)

The PSU website maintains that

Art is important for children especially during their early development. Research shows that art activities develop brain capacity in early childhood. Art engages children’s senses in open-ended play and supports the development of cognitive, social-emotional and multisensory skills. As children progress into elementary school and beyond, art continues to provide opportunities for brain development, mastery, self-esteem and creativity. (PSU 2023)

Great job by all at Art Play

The kids at the Narellan Town Centre Art Play had lots of fun with the activities and posed for photos with their artwork.

Full marks to the Narellan Town Centre management for their foresight in engaging professional artists from Camden’s public gallery to design a creative and enjoyable set of activities for the kids.

Well done to the artists from the Alan Baker Art Gallery for an exciting and enjoyable school holiday art activity.

Reference

Narellan Town Centre (2025). ART PLAY at Narellan Town Centre» Camden Kids. [online] Camdenkids.com.au. Available at: https://www.camdenkids.com.au/whats-on/art-play/ [Accessed 18 Jul. 2025].

The Pennsylvania State University(PSU), 2023, Art – an opportunity to develop children’s skills. PennState Extension. extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare  Online at https://bkc-od-media.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/HO_Art_AnOpportunity.pdf Viewed 18 July 2025.