For the first time Fremantle Arts Centre is putting kids front and centre with Animaze: Amazing Animals for Kids, a fun and accessible exhibition specifically for kids.

Opening Saturday 17 November and running through the summer holidays, this free exhibition will immerse 5–12 year olds into the world of art and animals. Featuring more than 40 local, national and international artists, Animaze has all sorts of animals, from cute and cuddly to exotic creatures and mythical beasts.

Fremantle Arts Centre Curator Dr Ric Spencer said, “Often it’s parents dragging their kids to the gallery, so we’re really pleased to be presenting Animaze, a show full of great works that will have kids excited to come along.”

“The whole show has been designed for kids. Everything is laid out and arranged for kids to really get up close and enjoy the work.”

Kids and families can spend time exploring the generous mix of prints, paintings, sculpture, crochet, textiles and aquatic critters. Animaze also has specially designed play spaces, story readings and craft activities to enjoy. Animaze includes works specially commissioned or borrowed for the show alongside works from the City of Fremantle Art Collection.

Highlights include WA artist Ross Potter’s life-size drawing of Perth Zoo’s Tricia the Elephant, which visitors can watch come to life as he works on it in the gallery throughout the exhibition; works by internationally renowned artist, author and Oscar winner Shaun Tan; local animator Rory Dalitz; and Austen Mengler, fresh from his appearance at Oz Comic Con.

Animaze kicks off with kids’ activities on Saturday 17th November from 10am. Families can enjoy a mix of free and paid workshops with some of the participating artists, as well as entertainment and food.

The exhibition program also includes weekly activities and tours.

Artists

Rashida Abdel Aziz
Abdul-Rahman Abdullah
Sohan Ariel Hayes
and Zoe Atkinson
Dion Beasley
Sally Bower
Tom Buckland
Robert Campbell Jnr
Olga Cironis
Rory Dalitz
Peter Farmer
Nathan Ferlazzo
Susan Flavell
Belinda Fox
Golden Wattle Hookers
Guy Grey-Smith
Basil Hadley
Barbara Hanrahan
Jodie Heffernan
Anne Jope
Michael Kempson
Mary-Lou Layzell
Mei Swan Lim
Austen Mengler
Milan Milojevic
Min Pin
Gina Moore
Laurel Nannup
Anna Nazzari
Ron Nyisztor
Joe Ong
Tony Pankiw
Colin Paynton
Shane Pickett
Ross Potter
John Prince Siddon
Mariaan Pugh
Anna Louise Richardson
Jonas Ropponen
Sue Ryan
Heather Shimmen
Shaun Tan
Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Paul Trinidad Jnr
Jonathan Tse
George Tute
Paul Uhlmann
Sarah van Niekerk
Deborah Williams

Curators

Dr Ric Spencer, Curator, Fremantle Arts Centre

Andre Lipscombe, Curator, City of Fremantle Art Collection