A living legacy: Young artists celebrate the power of art
Published on 21 July 2026
Creativity and colour will fill the Forrester Gallery this August, as students from approximately 20 Waitaki schools take centre stage in this year’s George Burns Memorial Art Exhibition.
On display from 1 August to 27 September, the exhibition celebrates the talent and confidence of young people from across the district.
The Ōamaru children’s art exhibition was established in 1970 following a suggestion by Ōamaru-born and educated journalist George Burns (pictured) and named in his memory to honour his commitment to art, education and community. Today, students carry forward the idea Burns championed, sharing bold and imaginative artwork in a cherished exhibition that has inspired young artists since 1970.
Burns knew art was far more than decoration. He saw it as a vital part of a healthy, connected community — a way to express identity, explore ideas, build confidence and see the world through fresh eyes. That belief continues through the Gallery today, where young people’s voices, wellbeing and sense of belonging are celebrated.
Arts, Culture & Libraries Manager Chloe Searle said she was always impressed by the courage and talent on display, and by the pride students showed when their work was shared with the wider community.
“When young people come into the Gallery and see their art exhibited, their pride is apparent,” she added. “It tells them their ideas matter, their voices are worth sharing, and their creativity has a valued place in our community.”
For Waitaki, the exhibition is more than an annual display of student work. It is a living link to an Ōamaru-born journalist whose belief in community, education and the arts continue to shape the district’s cultural life more than five decades later.
Burns was New Zealand’s first Fulbright Scholar and believed newspapers should contribute positively to their communities, rather than simply report the news. He put this into practice by establishing and supporting the Christchurch Star-Sun Schools Art Exhibition, which encouraged school children throughout the South Island to create and exhibit art.
Before his death in 1970, Burns suggested that Ōamaru continue the idea through its own children’s art exhibition.
That idea became the Burns Memorial Art Exhibition, now held at Forrester Gallery Mahika Kai Mahika Toi, and one of the district’s best-loved annual cultural events.