This morning (January 28) Thelma Hulbert Gallery hosted the first Creative Session for Under 5s since the pandemic forced them to be cancelled, and the event proved extremely popular.

A range of art and craft activities were set up in the gallery's Learning Room. These included sand boxes, large pieces of paper taped to the floor with chalks and crayons and boxes of tactile materials such as pinecones, Lego blocks and beads.

The sessions are run by Laurel Coxon, who told Nub News: "I'm feeling quite emotional. It's just magic!"

Anna Aroussi, the gallery's Engagement Coordinator, told Nub News: "We're really excited to have this group back again because it was one of the things the pandemic took away.

"We did try and work outside, which was okay during the summer, but we've missed the event all through the winter."

During the pandemic, when indoor group sessions were not allowed, the gallery used their 'Creative Cabinet', which is a mobile craft van, to reach different communities in East Devon. Sessions were run in Honiton, as well as in Sidmouth, Exmouth and at local forest schools.

Approximately thirty children attended the event this morning, which was so popular that a second room had to be set up for the families to use.

Rebecca Bates lives in Honiton and she brought along her two children, Esther and Joah.

She told Nub News: "This is a great activity for under 5s, with lots of sensory things for them to explore. There's nothing else like this in Honiton really, so it's great!"

Thelma Hulbert's Creative Sessions for Under 5s are free and they run on the last Friday of every month between 10.30am - 12.00pm.

You do not need to book.

You can find out more information here