HUNDREDS of children and teenagers are making the world a better place, one painting at a time, through an art exhibition.
The event, organised by Artivo School of Creativity in collaboration with Johor Baru City Council’s (MBJB) Sultan Ismail Library, featured 300 paintings by youngsters aged three to 17 from across the state.
The school’s chief executive officer Ainsley Tiew said the art exhibition was being organised across four states this year.
“This is the seventh time we are organising the exhibition, but it is the first time we are bringing it to Johor.
“This year, we are organising it in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sabah and Penang, with Johor being our second stop.
“We have 1,500 children and teenagers, including 300 from Johor, contributing their drawings this year.”
Tiew said proceeds from the sale of the paintings, priced at RM400 each or RM1,000 for three, would go to charities in the states where the exhibitions are organised.
Sultan Ismail Library senior librarian Tengku Tarmizi Tengku Aziz said the art exhibition was a way to show that the library was more than just a place to read and borrow books.
“We are happy to display the paintings here and collaborate with the art school as we want the public to also see the many functions the library serves.
“This includes being a community centre where the public can come together and non-governmental organisations or groups can organise their events.”
Among those taking part was seven-year-old G. Keashikaa, who contributed her drawing for the first time.
Her mother, senior customer service consultant A. Kanimoly, 36, said she was excited to see her daughter’s painting on display.
“The exhibition is a good and fun way for children to share their creativity.
“I am very impressed with all the paintings I saw,” she said, adding that she was glad to see so many parents coming to support their children in their artistic pursuits.
Pharmacist Justine See, 37, whose seven-year-old daughter Caitlyn Teo also contributed to the exhibition, said it was a way to teach children to be kind while doing what they love.
“My daughter really loves to draw.
“Since she is still young, she may not really know how significant it is for a child her age to have her drawing displayed to the public.
“However, she enjoyed the process of coming up with the artwork,” See said.
