b'doing ityoung at artA national movement and one womans passion bring art to our children. Shona Hammond Boys is responsible forexpression place, where artistic souls can beIbelieveitsacrimeagainsthumanityif a quiet revolution in the way many adultsnourished and developed. Intodays oftenwe dont invest in childrens creativity, says view children and teenagers. depersonalised world of digital technology,Shona.Creativechildrenensurecreative The positive change is the result of Shonasarthousesprovideapersonalisingplacecommunities and we need all the bright sparks passion for providing young people with awhere children can find their own identy. we can get. When being creative, children Anartist,qualifiedteacherandartuse 10% more of their brain and the frontal nurturing space to freely explore and developcortex is properly developed, so empathy and their artistic selves and abilities. educator, Shona recently returned from the InternationalChildArtFoundationsWorldcreativity go together, she says.The founder and national director of the NewChildrens Festival in Washington, where 62If youve visited Paeroa or Opotiki recently, Zealand Art House Foundation Trust openedcountrieswererepresented,includingtwoyou wont have missed seeing the stunning thefirstdedicatedChildrensArtHouseyoung artists aged 12 and 14 from Paeroa.murals painted throughout the towns by local on Aucklands North Shore in 1996, and inArt from this festival will be on display at theyoung artists. The colours and creativity are 1999, the trust was established to developOlympic Games in London next year. a testimony to a long standing partnership the concept around the country. In recognition of Shonas life long passion for,betweenthearthousemovementand Today there are 22 Childrens Art Houses inand involvement in, childrens art she receivedResene, which provides testpots and paint. localcommunities,eachselffundinganda Queens Service Medal in 2003, and in JuneResene is our only sponsor and over the presentingitsowncharacter,buttheyallthis year while in Washington, was presentedpast 15 plus years, its been a privilege and provide a safe, friendly, child-dedicated, freewith the Presidents Volunteer Service Award. we value their involvement very much.48'