To mark one year of Hands on Art, Kerry Blakey, our Early Years Engagement Officer, writes about the time spent in the space and how we’ve welcomed thousands of babies, toddlers, children and their grown-ups through the doors at Perth Art Gallery.

There’s something quite special about watching a child encounter something for the first time.

The pause before they reach for something. The hesitation before stepping into the unfamiliar. And then — curiosity taking over. And sometimes plenty of giggles!

In the heart of Perth, something quietly special has been growing. A space where babies, toddlers and families are not just welcomed but expected.  Where creativity begins with play, and where even the smallest hands are taken seriously.

Hands On Art Gallery has officially turned one and honestly, we’re still a bit in awe of what this space has become.

Over the past year, we’ve welcomed over 9,000 babies, toddlers, children and their grown-ups through our doors. But it’s not just about numbers it’s about the tiny hands playing and connecting, the cautious first steps into messy play, and the moments where a child realises… “I can do this.”

From the very beginning, this space was imagined as something a bit different. Not just a space, but a place where play, creativity and early development come together. A space where it’s okay to explore, to make a mess, to not have an end result.

As someone bringing a background in early years development and therapeutic practice into an art gallery setting, it’s been incredibly meaningful to shape sessions that are not only creative, but also safe, attuned and responsive to children and families. Watching children build confidence, and caregivers relax into play alongside them, has been one of the most rewarding parts of this work.

Our Baby Play, Messy Play, and Toddle and Waddle sessions have been full of sensory exploration, movement and curiosity and plenty of fun. Alongside this, our Family Art Events have created space for shared creativity across generations.

And then there’s Mini Wonders, our project supported by Nesta and Art Fund, where we’ve been exploring how galleries can truly work for very young children and their parents. It’s been a space for testing ideas, listening to families, and learning together.

One parent told us:

“It feels really relaxed — like we’re allowed to just explore and see what happens.”

Another shared:

“It’s one of the few places I don’t feel like I’m in a rush.”

And maybe one of our favourites:

“I didn’t realise my child could grow in confidence like this, and me too.”

At the heart of it all is our creative play space, thoughtfully designed using ideas from play theory and Montessori approaches  where children lead, materials invite curiosity, and confidence grows quietly over time.

What’s been especially powerful is seeing this become part of everyday life for families in Perth. Familiar faces returning each week. Friendships forming. A sense that this space belongs to the community.

We feel incredibly proud that Perth has a space like this one that recognises that creativity starts early, and that even the smallest visitors deserve meaningful cultural experiences.

So as we turn one, we just want to say a huge thank you.

To every family who has stepped through the door, played, stayed for a chat, and come back again and again. We can’t wait to see what year two brings 💛

All images – Bartlomiej Masiukiewicz