Talented junior artists celebrated in exhibition at Toowoomba Art Society’s gallery near Queens Park

Dozens of budding young artists have produced a colourful and “exuberant” exhibition at the Toowoomba Art Society at the weekend.

Adfa Dafny won the Young Artist's Encouragement Award. Children's Art Exhibition at Toowoomba Art Society. Saturday. 5th Dec 2020

Adfa Dafny clearly has a passion for visual art, and her creativity has earned her a special award from her instructor at the Toowoomba Art Society.

The young artist was one of dozens of children whose work was showcased at the society’s end-of-year exhibition.

Sophia and Joshua Stapleton were part of the Toowoomba Art Society's junior art classes.

Retired schoolteacher Gilly Carroll led the participants through different styles and mediums during weekly classes, leading to a wide variety of pieces like paintings, drawings, sculptures and models.

While all children received certificates for being part of the junior program, Adfa received a special encouragement award.

(From left) Amalina Shamsudin, Adam Jalaludin and Aysha Adam with the artwork of their daughter Irina Adam. Children's Art Exhibition at Toowoomba Art Society. Saturday. 5th Dec 2020

Society president Allan Bruce said he was impressed with the pieces on show at the Godsall St gallery, considering how interrupted the year had been due to COVID-19.

“At the moment there are four (classes) a week that are run by Gilly, and she loves working with children,” he said.

“I think the numbers were affected by COVID-19, but there’s an exuberance about the exhibition, which is really refreshing – it’s very happy.

“I’d known Gilly for years and she had a fantastic reputation, so I asked her this year (if she would run the classes) and she was very keen to take it on.

“The work you see is the product of the time the kids were here.”

Sophia and Joshua Stapleton's paper mache chickens.

Ms Carroll said she encouraged her students to be as creative as possible.

“I’m just over the moon with the results and the look of everything,” she said.

“Not everyone can draw, so it gives everyone a chance to shine.

“One of my favourite mantras is if I want it to look realistic, I’d get a camera.”