The Live Darwin Arts program kicks off this Saturday 9 September with Kids in the City, a series of Saturday creative sessions to be held each Saturday up to 14 October at The Bookstore in Darwin’s Smith Street Mall.

Darwin based author and illustrator Sandra Kendell has coordinated the program and will also run the first session, Drawing out the Wildlife, this Saturday from 10am-12pm for children aged 5-8 years of age.

Department of Tourism and Culture, Director Arts NT Angela Hill said the Live Darwin Arts program will showcase and celebrate our artistic talent and enhance local and visitor experiences in the Darwin CBD.

“I’m so excited that the program is underway and beginning with a creative and educational event for kids.”

“Sandra Kendell is the author and illustrator of five children’s picture books including the much loved Green Tree Frogs and Welcome Little Scrubfowl and will lead story time and then help the kids to draw images of the native animals we share our city with,” said Ms Hill.

Sandra draws inspiration from the local environment and ecology revealing some of its more elusive inhabitants.

“Drawing out the Wildlife will offer guided drawing activities with the kids focussing on the animals that they can find in the greenspace within Darwin CBD, such as Raintree and Civic Parks and will feature animals such as scrubfowl, green tree frogs, possums and Curlews,” Ms Kendell said.

Materials will be supplied and kids should wear hats and sunscreen. 

The full September program of Kids in the City workshops delivered by a range of local authors and illustrators are as follows:

- Saturday 16/9/17 – 10am-12pm – Colourful Creatures in the Mall – storytime and illustration workshop with Marita Albers aimed at 7-10 year olds.

- Saturday 23/9/17 -  10am - 12pm – Our City, buildings old, new and imagined – painting workshop with Marnie Jay aimed at 8-13 year olds.

- Saturday 14/10/17 – 10am - 12pm – A Sense of Place – Young adult writing workshop with Claire Atkins aimed at 14-17 year olds.

Other activities in the Live Darwin Arts program in coming months include a variety of free workshops in comedy and visual arts taking place around the CBD, evening concerts around the CBD and outdoor art exhibitions and installations.

The second round of Live Darwin Arts opens for applications on Friday 29 September 2017 and closes at 5pm, Friday 27 October 2017.

For further information please email the Live Darwin Arts team livedarwin@nt.gov.au or phone Arts NT on 1800 678 237

Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager 0428 052 647