FROM the massive papier mch models of St George and the Dragon, made by Greenmount Primary School, to the Clarice Cliff-style ceramics by Oakfield Primary School, the Art Through the Ages exhibition is colourful and vibrant.

All the exhibits have been designed and made by the Island's children, with more than 60 schools on the Island providing artwork and sculptures for the display.

Thousands of children have taken part in the exhibition, which will open tomorrow at Quay Arts in Newport. Bafta award-winning TV artist Tony Hart will be officially opening the exhibition.

Jo Whiteman, exhibition co-ordinator at Quay Arts said: "We started organising Art Through the Ages back in February this year.

"Initially it was an administrative nightmare. We had to write off lots of letters to the schools on the Island and try to organise what everyone would be producing for the exhibition.

"In the end though, things ran pretty smoothly and we have got everything in on time, ready for the opening.

"We normally have a gallery space called Learning Curve which is devoted to artwork by children.

"This is going to be the second time that the entire gallery will be devoted to work produced by the Island's children.

"The first time it happened was back in 2000, when we opened My Millennium. That exhibition was a record-breaking show of 13,626 children's self-portraits.

"Obviously Art Through the Ages isn't on the same scale as My Millennium but it is just as exciting.

"There is a great wealth of young artistic talent and creativity currently residing on the Island and it is great to be able to harness this talent in one place.

"Each participating school has created and will display its different takes on worldwide arts activities, from the dawn of time to the present day.

"From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, cave painting to pop artist Jackson Pollock and computer-aided art, nearly all branches of art have been covered.

"Each school chose an artist, movement or specific piece of work to take inspiration from.

"The exhibition is not taking the form of a 'history of art' but aims to reflect shared concerns, themes and techniques within the whole of the art world - however vast it is.

"Overall, it has been structured to allow for maximum curriculum overlap and, of course, to be fun.

"A wide age range of young people took part in creating the artwork for the exhibition from age three to 18.

"It is so exciting that we have got Tony Hart to open the exhibition.

"It wasn't intended to be competitive but we are getting Tony Hart to select his favourite school exhibit and award a prize.

"Afterwards he'll be drawing and auctioning his A1-sized animal 'Hartoons'.

"Most adults have fond memories of Tony Hart, so we reckon this will be one children's show where the kids are outnumbered by their parents."