In 1945, as the world began to rebuild after the Second World War, the Children’s Art Centre opened its doors with hope, vision, and creativity at its heart. Founded through the inspiration and dedication of George Veldsman, Ursula Reines, and Sydney McKie, the school became a place where imagination could flourish and young artists could find their voice.
Every story has a beginning — and ours began 80 years ago.
To honour this remarkable milestone, the staff of the Children’s Art Centre, together with learners from our feeder schools, created three magnificent sunflower sculptures. These large-scale artworks were constructed from recyclable materials and chicken mesh, symbolising growth, resilience, and sustainability. The framework for the sculptures was generously built by Mrs Chandler’s family — a beautiful example of community collaboration supporting creative expression.
On 26 September 2025, we embarked on a meaningful Story Walk, visiting each of the three sites that once housed the Art Centre.
Our journey began at St Philip’s Church in Chapel Street. From there, we walked to Victoria Walk in Woodstock. This building, once filled with creativity and learning, was demolished during the apartheid years. At this site, we paused for a quiet moment of reflection — remembering the challenges of the past and honouring the resilience of our community.
Our final stop was the current home of the Centre on the Zonnebloem College Estate. Along the way, stories were shared — stories of remembrance, perseverance, creativity, and hope.
The three sunflower sculptures will now be permanently installed at the Zonnebloem site, standing tall as symbols of our history and our bright future.
Eighty years later, the Children’s Art Centre continues to nurture young artists, rooted in its rich history and growing toward the light — just like the sunflowers that now mark our journey.
