SEVEN schools, identified by the municipality, are taking part in a children's art exhibition, an initiative organised by Buffalo City, the South African Embassy in Finland and the Finnish Art Centre for Children and Young People.

The exhibition was initiated through the City's international relations department by the embassy, and opened on 29 April at the East London City Hall.

Themed My Home, it is also supported by the provincial department of education, which has been instrumental in encouraging participation by local schools. The driving force behind the exhibition, however, is the Art Centre for Children and Young People in Hyvinkää, Finland. It approached Buffalo City through the South African Embassy in that country to get local schools or clubs to take part.

Artworks submitted for the exhibition had to reflect the learners' culture, environment and personal ideas. They could be drawings, paintings, graphics, photographs or comics. Participants had to be between seven and 18 years old; each child received a prize.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said: "The news about this exhibition revived my hopes for the systematic development of our children, this time in an activity that is very rare within our local communities."

The City hoped that the initiative would not die with the passing of time, and that this passion for art would not "wither and deteriorate as time goes on".

The exhibition will travel to the Ann Bryant Gallery in East London, where it will be from 3 to 9 May. Thereafter, it will take part in the 14th annual International Art Exhibition at the art centre in Hyvinkää.

Maintained and supported by the city of Hyvinkää and the Finnish ministry of education, the centre promotes art education, collects art and organises exhibitions.

Also speaking at the exhibition's opening, the provincial department of education representative, Ceasar Masiza, said it was an opportunity for young children to take art as a subject and explore their abilities.