A free exhibition of artworks created by local youth to create a peaceful world is coming to Katikati for the first time.

Tūmanako! Children and Youth Art: Works for a Peaceful World will launch at Carlton Gallery inside The Arts Junction on Main Rd at 5.30pm on Monday, August 10, and open daily to August 23.

Organised by Soka Gakkai International of NZ (SGINZ), a Buddhist-based NGO for peace, culture and education, the exhibition will show work by children and youth aged up to 18 from Matahui, Katikati and Waihi schools.

Katikati-based Tūmanako committee member Darinee Turnwald said Tūmanako! – which means “hope” – was first held in Wellington in 2015 and conceived in commemoration of Hiroshima Day, observed August 6.

Entries from last year’s Tūmanako! Exhibition in the Bay of Plenty. Photos / Supplied

“It has since grown into a nationwide exhibition, travelling to communities throughout Aotearoa, including Tauranga, Wairarapa, Hutt City, Auckland, Whakatāne, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Queenstown,” she said. “It supports an inclusive Aotearoa where all lives are celebrated and a nuclear-free world.”

This is the fifth year the exhibition will be held in the Bay of Plenty. Previously hosted at Tauranga City Library local organisers have decided to hold it in Katikati this month and Pāpāmoa in September.

Pāpāmoa-based organiser Paul Johnson said Tūmanako! celebrated the creativity and optimism of local tamariki (children) and taiohi (young people).

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

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

“The theme recognises that even the smallest act of kindness or hopeful idea has the potential to grow into something that benefits an entire community. Through various medium the young artists explore what peace means to them and the world they hope to inherit.”

Johnson said the Bay of Plenty exhibition continued to grow each year, providing children and young people an opportunity to share their creativity while contributing to an important conversation about peace.

“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,” Johnson said.

He estimated 70-odd pieces of artwork would be on display in Katikati’s exhibition.

“Everyone is warmly invited to attend the opening celebration [on August 10], meet the young artists and enjoy this inspiring collection of artworks.”

The exhibition is supported by the Peace and Disarmament Education Trust, NZ National Commission for Unesco, Auckland University of Technology and the Peace Foundation.

Associated organisations were the United Nations Association of NZ, Unicef NZ and Commonwealth Youth NZ.

Tūmanako! Children and Youth Art: Works for a Peaceful World is open daily from August 10-23 at The Arts Junction. Admission is free.