YOUNG ARTISTS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT
KETTLE’S YARD WITH ‘PAINT WHAT MATTERS!’
EXHIBITION
Kettle’s Yard is showcasing the creativity and vision of Cambridge’s young artists with its new exhibition, Paint What Matters! Art by Children & Young People in Cambridge.
Running from 26 February to 9 March 2025, the exhibition features over 500 artworks created by children and young people ages 4–21, each responding to the prompt: ‘What matters to you today?’
'Around the World in 80 Pages' by Nefeli, age 12.
'Around the World in 80 Pages' by Nefeli, age 12.
The exhibition, which includes paintings, drawings, and collages, offers a vibrant snapshot of the hopes, concerns, and insights of the next generation.
From personal reflections on family and friendship to urgent calls for environmental action and social justice, the artworks span a wide range of themes, both intimate and universal.
Among the impressive collection is 'Save the Earth!' by 8-year-old Maria, which calls for urgent action on climate change. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Lilly’s 'Love the Ocean and Be Thankful', created during a workshop with the Cambridgeshire charity Centre 33, highlights the importance of respecting marine life.
'Save the Earth!' by Maria, age 8.
'Save the Earth!' by Maria, age 8.
In her artist statement, Lilly writes, “I feel that people should respect the ocean because I have seen so many articles where people have thrown rubbish in the ocean. I want people to look at this painting and say ‘wow’ and then they will respect the ocean.”
The exhibition also tackles issues of gender equality and women’s rights. Lily, 19, addresses women’s safety in her evocative self-portrait 'Walk Me Home', while 18-year-old Elisa’s Fight for Rights emphasizes the importance of visibility and collective action.
'Walk Me Home' by Lily, age 19.
'Walk Me Home' by Lily, age 19.
Family and friendship are recurring themes throughout the exhibition. Zebbie, 10, captures the joy of family life in his drawing titled 'Family', stating, “Family matters because they complete the joy in my life.”
Similarly, 20-year-old University of Cambridge student Anna’s 'Four Friends on Grantchester Street' celebrates the bonds formed during her time in the city.
'Four Friends on Grantchester Street' by Anna, age 20.
'Four Friends on Grantchester Street' by Anna, age 20.
A legacy of inspiration
'Paint What Matters!' continues the legacy of Kettle’s Yard founders Jim and Helen Ede, who believed in the transformative power of art and sought to create a space for reflection and inspiration, particularly for young people.
The Edes included children’s artworks in their collection, treating them with the same significance as works by established artists. In keeping with this tradition, the exhibition will also feature paintings by Amanda Hicks, a teenage artist whose work was collected by the Edes in the 1960s.
'Family' by Zebbie, age 10.
'Family' by Zebbie, age 10.
To complement the exhibition, Kettle’s Yard has partnered with Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, to host a panel discussion on 5 March. Jane Sills, Director of Engage, will lead a conversation with Cambridge experts on how to support and nurture young artists.
Additionally, visitors can explore the exhibition with a special guide created by Year 8 Arts Ambassadors from North Cambridge Academy, featuring open questions, provocations, and activities to deepen engagement with the artworks.
Community collaboration
The exhibition has been made possible with the support of the De Reus Foundation and AstraZeneca, as well as collaboration with local schools and community organizations, including Arbury Primary, Centre 33, and North Cambridge Academy. These partnerships reflect Kettle’s Yard’s ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and engagement among young people in Cambridge.
Karen Thomas, Head of Community & Learning at Kettle’s Yard, said, “This exhibition is a celebration of the incredible talent and imagination of young people in our community. It’s a powerful reminder of how art can help us express what matters most, whether it’s love for family, concern for the planet, or a call for social change.”
Visit the exhibition
Paint What Matters! will be on display at Kettle’s Yard from 26 February to 9 March 2025. Visitors can also explore a selection of children’s artworks in the Kettle’s Yard house via the Bloomberg Connects app.
For more information, visit:
www.kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk/whats-on/paint-what-matters-art-by-children-and-young-people-in-cambridge
'Friends' by Deniz, age 7.
'Friends' by Deniz, age 7.
'Grandad' by Thomas, age 8.
'Grandad' by Thomas, age 8.
'Fight for Rights' by Elisa, age 18.
'Fight for Rights' by Elisa, age 18.
'The earth is in our hands' by Anushka, age 11.
'The earth is in our hands' by Anushka, age 11.
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