The creativity and optimism of local tamariki (children) and taiohi (youth) will be celebrated this month when Tūmanako! – Children’s Artworks for a Peaceful World opens at Te Ao Mārama - Pāpāmoa Library.

The exhibition will open with a public ceremony at 10am on September 26 and will remain on display until October 11. Admission is free.

The event is organised by Soka Gakkai International of NZ (SGINZ), a Buddhist-based NGO for peace, culture and education, and tasks children with creating an artwork for their local Tūmanako! exhibition.

Pāpāmoa-based committee member Paul Johnson said Tūmanako!, meaning hope, was an annual exhibition that invited children and young people to express their aspirations for a peaceful, inclusive and nuclear-free world through art.

“Originally launched in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington in 2015 to commemorate Hiroshima Day, Tūmanako! has grown into a nationwide exhibition, travelling to communities throughout Aotearoa, including Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Wairarapa, Hutt City, Timaru, Dunedin and Queenstown.

“The exhibition encourages young people to reflect on the causes of conflict and the importance of peace, compassion and understanding.”

Katikati held its Tūmanako! exhibition in August, with more than 80 artworks exploring themes of peace, hope, inclusion and a world free from nuclear weapons. The August 10 opening drew more than 100 people.

The opening of Katikati's Tūmanako! exhibition on August 10.

This year’s theme is: “Kotahi te kākano whakaaro, he nui ngā hua o te rākau houhou rongo”, or “One seed of thought grows the forest of peace”.

Johnson said the theme recognised that even the smallest act of kindness or hopeful idea could grow into something that benefited an entire community.

“Through various mediums, the young artists explore what peace means to them and the world they hope to inherit.”

The Bay of Plenty exhibitions continued to grow each year, providing children and young people with an opportunity to share their creativity while contributing to an important conversation about peace, he said.

“At a time when many people feel concerned by conflict and division around the world, the exhibition offers a hopeful reminder that the next generation has an important voice in shaping a more compassionate future.

“Everyone is warmly invited to attend the Pāpāmoa opening celebration, meet the young artists and enjoy this inspiring collection of artworks.”

The free-entry Tūmanako! exhibition will be on display at Te Ao Mārama - Pāpāmoa Library, 15 Gravatt Rd, Pāpāmoa Beach, from September 26 to October 11.