It is over a year since the already established Childrens Art-house in Opotiki had to find a new home. A committed group of hard working volunteers have toiled for hours and hours to create a new space for the children, in what was once-upon-a-time a timber factory, and maker of butchers skewers, that had been totally neglected and was in an abandoned and ruinous state. Old heavy machinery had to be removed, bathroom facilities moved indoors, and the space made lighter (with ceiling skylight panels) and brighter with the childrens artwork. 

Within this space children feel safe, and are able to explore their creativity in many forms: visual arts, 3 D sculpture, carving, claywork, mosaics, dance and drama, textiles and garment construction. 

The Childrens Art-house runs on the whiff of the smell of an oily rag, and is so dependent on the generosity and goodwill of the community for art materials and for the items needed to ignite the childrens creativity. 

The Opotiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Endowment Fund has recognised the total committment of Shona and her team to the children of Opotiki, and were keen to support this very positive initiative in the town.