Manitoba

Winnipeg Art Gallery puts work of more than 600 children on display

More than 600 children have their art on display at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for the 30th anniversary of the Through the Eyes of a Child exhibition.

'It's like we're really professional,' says Georgia MacKinnon, 12

Georgia MacKinnon, left, and Melanie Stewart made a fairy garden scene for the Through the Eyes of a Child exhibition. (CBC)

More than 600 children have their art displayed at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for the 30th anniversary of the Through the Eyes of a Child exhibition.

Each year, students enrolled in classes at WAG Studio have their paintings, sculptures, clay work, pen and ink and collages displayed at the gallery.

Georgia MacKinnon and Melanie Stewart, both 12, helped make a fairy garden scene with mushroom houses and tree houses that's on display.

Melanie Stewart, 12, and her group made a tree house for their fairy garden scene. (CBC)
"It feels like we're special artists, like top of the line," Stewart said.

"It's like we're really professional," MacKinnon said.

The exhibition also features work from past students and instructors, including Wanda Koop, Jordan Van Sewell, Diane Whitehouse and Tim Schouten. 

Georgia MacKinnon, 12, and her group made mushroom houses for their fairy garden scene. (CBC)
For many of the students, this is the first time their work is on display, said Diane Lafournaise, the manager of WAG Studio.

"This is like the Super Bowl for children, because you don't get a chance often to get that recognition as a child, as an artist. Being shown at the gallery is a huge deal," she said.

Through the Eyes of a Child runs until May 8. (CBC)
"I'm just amazed at the creativity, the colour, the imagination every time."

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of WAG Studio.

The exhibition is on now until May 8.