Emali x Pwerle Gallery Reconciliation Workshop

As part of National Reconciliation Week 2026, Emali Early Learning Centre had the privilege of taking a small group of four-year-old children to Pwerle Gallery for a hands-on cultural art experience centred around creativity, storytelling and connection. 

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In”, reminds us that reconciliation requires all Australians to actively participate in building a more connected and understanding future. At Emali, we believe those conversations begin from an early age through curiosity, learning, creativity and shared experiences. 

Having previously collaborated with Pwerle Gallery, this experience continued the growing relationship between the gallery and our childcare community, creating a beautiful opportunity for the children to engage with Aboriginal culture in a way that felt open, joyful and deeply interactive.

From the moment the children entered the gallery space, there was an immediate sense of excitement and wonder. Watching them explore so openly, ask thoughtful questions and immerse themselves so fully in the creative process was incredibly special to witness. Experiences like these are such an important reminder of the value in creating opportunities for younger generations to learn directly through connection, conversation and experience.

The workshop itself was inspired by the ‘Emali Story’ artwork created by artist Charmaine Pwerle, with Pwerle Gallery director Jade Akamarre, Charmaine’s niece, carefully working from the original painting to draw inspiration from its stories, movement and symbols in a way that young children could genuinely connect with and understand.

Rather than simply teaching Aboriginal symbols on their own, the entire workshop was designed around the Emali story itself. Through simplified visual storytelling, the children learnt how the painting reflected familiar parts of their own everyday lives, from the journeys between home and childcare each day, to symbols representing parents, grandparents, shared meals, learning alongside educators, story time, outdoor play and animal tracks inspired by Emali Littlehampton’s farm animals and connection to nature.

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was watching the children begin recognising elements of their own world within the artwork. It helped create a personal connection to the storytelling behind Aboriginal art and encouraged the children to see that art can hold memories, relationships, movement and lived experiences.

Throughout the session, each child was given their own 30 x 30cm canvas to create an artwork using symbols, colour and storytelling. The children were encouraged to interpret the symbols in their own way, allowing space for imagination, individuality and self-expression.

The experience then evolved into a larger collaborative painting session where the children were invited to freely create together across a shared canvas and floor-based painting space. The room quickly filled with colour, laughter and excitement as the children worked instinctively beside one another in such a natural and joyful way. The collaborative artwork created during the session will soon be displayed within the centre, allowing the experience and conversations to continue long after the workshop itself had finished.

Following the painting session, the children were guided throughout the gallery space and introduced to different Aboriginal symbols and artworks displayed across the walls. Through storytelling and conversation, they were introduced to ideas surrounding Country, family, community and culture in ways appropriate to their age and understanding.

At Emali, we believe experiences such as these are incredibly important in helping younger generations grow up with awareness, respect and appreciation for First Nations culture. Reconciliation is built through ongoing learning, genuine connection and shared experiences, and we are proud to continue creating opportunities for our children to engage with culture in meaningful and memorable ways.

This year’s “All In” theme reminds us that reconciliation belongs to everybody. Watching these children learn, create, collaborate and connect so naturally together felt like a beautiful reflection of exactly that.

Additional Reads

Learn More: The Emali Story Artwork and Aboriginal Artist Charmaine Pwerle
Learn More: Pwerle Gallery
Learn More: National Reconciliation Week

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