For both sites, we imagined a space that feels welcoming, calming, and fun for everyone—especially families. There should be areas where parents can sit down, rest, and connect with one another. A path should guide people gently through the gardens, so no one gets stuck in one place. We believe every part of the event should flow, with different experiences placed where they feel like they naturally belong.

We want people to feel like they are part of something special—something that only happens once in a lifetime. Through our curation, we hope visitors interact with the artworks, listen to the stories, and discover something new. We want them to experience the projects we made especially for them.

Every activity, every sound, and every space has been chosen to make you feel something—to feel welcome, to feel curious, and to feel connected.

- The Curators - 
Phoebe (11), Shelley (11), Amira (12) and Zac (11)

A world of sound, friendship, and imagination

When:

Saturday 26 July, Solander Park, Park Street, Erskineville

and

Saturday 2 August Bangor Park Auburn

(entrance via Heath Street, Granville)

Both events run 2-4pm

Free Event. Everyone is welcome!

Join us for art-making, podcast adventures, a kids panel, an outdoor exhibition — and more!

 

A project by Claudia Chidiac, Nicole Barakat, Lem Zakharia, San May and The Kids in collaboration with Granville East Public School and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Erskineville. With special guest curator Paschal Berry.

This project has been made possible with support from Creative Australia.

The Gardens by The Kids

Bangor Park, Auburn

  • Not exactly — but it feels like one! The event takes place in public parks in Erskineville and Granville, transformed by kids into playful, creative environments full of sound, art, and imagination. It’s a garden of ideas, stories, and experiences — made by kids, for everyone.

  • We recommend bringing a listening device and headphones to experience the podcasts. It’s also a good idea to dress for the weather — bring a hat, jumper, sunscreen or raincoat, depending on the day. Everything else you need will be provided onsite — just come ready to explore, play, and listen!

  • Yes! While the work has been created by children, it’s for everyone. Adults, kids, families, and curious wanderers are all invited to participate, relax, and enjoy the gardens together.

  • The event takes place on grassy park grounds that are mostly flat and open. While there are no paved paths across the entire site, it has been designed to be as pram- and wheelchair-friendly as possible. There are no toilets on the event grounds, but accessible toilets are available within walking distance. Volunteers will be on hand to assist if needed.

  • No, there won’t be any food or drinks sold onsite. Feel free to bring your own snacks and water.

  • There is no designated onsite parking, but street parking is available on Park Street in Erskineville and Heath Street in Granville. These are residential areas, so parking may be limited — we recommend allowing extra time if you’re driving.

  • Yes! Both sites are accessible by public transport. Solander Park is a short walk from Erskineville (10 minutes) and Macdonaldtown (12 minutes) train stations.

    Bangor Park is approximately 30 minute walk from Granville Station.

    Bus routes also service both areas — check your trip on the Transport NSW website before you travel.

  • IIn the event of wet weather, updates will be posted on our website and Instagram page @thevillage_works. Check there on the day for any changes or announcements before heading out!

How’d We Make It?

In 2023, artist and creative producer Claudia Chidiac and sound artist Nick Wishart invited a group of local children from Erskineville to create an experimental soundscape. The work played in a public park, offering passersby a moment to pause, listen, and simply be. It was small in scale — but powerful in feeling. And it sparked a question:
What if more children could create something for the public to enjoy — something thoughtful and made with joy?
That question became The Gardens by The Kids — a multi-site public artwork shaped by the imaginations of children from Erskineville and Granville, two communities connected through years of creative collaboration.
Before any artworks were made, Claudia brought the children together — not for a workshop, but to meet, eat, play, and host each other. They designed the day themselves, welcoming each other into their neighbourhoods, schools, and stories. This hosting session became the first seed of the project: a gesture of friendship, a way of saying “you’re welcome here.”
From that seed grew a project with four creative strands — each led by professional artists and co-created with children. These strands unfolded into a rich garden of public experiences: immersive, thoughtful, playful, and full of heart.

The Four Creative Strands

Visual Art with Nicole Barakat

Working with artist Nicole Barakat, children explored place and care through delicate acts of textile-based mark making. Using rubbings taken from natural textures in their neighbourhoods, they stitched these imprints into a collective textile artwork — a map of connection, touch, and story. The process centred stillness, attention, and a gentle dialogue between hand, site, and spirit.

The Kids: Alisha, Eva, Lily, Zoe, Aminah, Hugo, Christopher, Amena, Paloma, Lola, Emma.

Podcasting with Lem Zakharia

Led by podcast producer Lem Zakharia, four unique podcasts were created — each one offering a powerful glimpse into the minds of young creators. From two thrilling murder mystery adventures, to an honest, funny and raw conversation between two girls unpacking friendship, exclusion and bullying, and a wildly energetic quiz-meets-sports-science episode — this is a celebration of voice, collaboration, and sonic imagination.

The Kids: Bassam, Cameron, Maya, Carol, Frisntha, Amena, Mia, Freija

Listen to Maya and Carol’s trailer!

Sound & Video Art with San May

Sound and video artist Sam May guided children in recording, editing, and layering field recordings, musical instruments, and voice. The result:

The Prodigy - Electronic dance track with music video

This song is a fusion of year 6 students’ favourite sounds from online culture mixed with the urban landscapes of Sydney. The audio is filled with beats from their favourite viral songs, audio recordings of silly moments between friends, and sampled sounds from Gadigal and Darug lands.

Accompanying the song is a music video that was shot entirely by the students. They were given a prompt of filming everything they like to do in parks. The response was playing sports, dancing, playing games, and rolling down grass hills. 


Interactive Orchestra - MIDI controller with sourced sounds by the Kids

Audiences are invited to use sounds created by The Gardens team to create your own experimental soundscape using touch. 

The Kids: Johnathan, Gabriel, Abdulrahmen, Mohammad, Abdullah, Russell.

Curating with Guest Curator Paschal Berry

In this strand, children stepped into the role of curators, working closely with writer and curator Paschal Berry and Claudia Chidiac. Together, they explored what a curator does — how ideas are shaped into public experience. Using the guiding themes of friendship, welcome, nature, and the stories we want to tell, they co-created a program of activities designed by the kids, for the public, placing their artworks and sound pieces thoughtfully throughout each garden.

The Kids: Shelley, Phoebe, Amira, Zac