Annual exhibition of youngsters' art

Willow Bennett (17 months), of Oamaru, shows her mother Candy one of more than 1000 exhibits in the Burns exhibition of children's and teenagers' art, which will run at the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru until July 18.

They are looking at a collection of eight figures and a dog depicting strolling minstrels which was made by pupils at Kakanui School and dominates the floor of the lower gallery at the Forrester.

The annual exhibition, which dates back to 1970 and is named after Oamaru journalist and former Christchurch Star editor the late George Burns, draws many people to the gallery.

"It's very, very popular," gallery director Warwick Smith said. "It's why we place such an emphasis on it each year."

Artworks from preschoolers to 18-year-olds in Waitaki district schools feature in the exhibition, which occupies a large part of the gallery.