Young creators bring the Reef to life

Young creators will use their imaginations to build and explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef at Tinkering Tank: Fish Tank, held at Tank 4 Gallery on Sunday 17 May as part of the Cairns Children’s Festival.

The hands-on experience is led by local artist Hayley Gillespie, who will guide children through a collaborative project to construct a large-scale reef installation using simple craft materials.

The Tinkering Tank sits alongside the Cairns Children’s Festival Children’s Exhibition, Dive Deep Down by Sorami Ochi, which opened at Tank 4 Gallery last week and features children’s artworks exploring a complementary underwater theme.

From 9am to 2pm, participants will create their own reef habitats, adding coral, marine life and underwater features to a shared structure that will grow across the day.

The activity is designed to encourage experimentation, storytelling and an understanding of how reef systems function.

In the lead-up to the festival, after-school workshops are running (from 11 to 15 May), giving children the opportunity to begin building elements of the installation ahead of the main event.

Mayor Amy Eden said the workshop captures what the Cairns Children’s Festival is all about, giving kids the chance to have fun while getting creative.

“It’s great to see kids using their imaginations and building something together, especially when it is inspired by the Great Barrier Reef,” Cr Eden said.

“The Great Barrier Reef is part of Cairns’ identity, so it is only fitting this activity is part of the city’s 150-year celebrations.”

Sessions will be held from 3.30pm to 5pm, with no registration required.

Ms Gillespie anticipates somewhere between 500 to 1000 children will participate in

building the reef creative work across the week, making it a very special kids’ community project, just as Cairns Celebrates 150 years.

“It’s a special way to celebrate, honouring the home of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders, while marking Cairns’ 150th through creativity, community and connection to place,” she said.

“Across the week, the free facilitated after-school workshops will see children experimenting with techniques and creating a variety of reef-inspired forms.

“By Sunday, visitors will experience a vibrant, collaborative reef installation, adding their own creations or starting something new, while reflecting on the beauty and importance of this unique ecosystem.”

For the full program and to purchase tickets, visit the Cairns Children’s Festival website.