Four year old Lauren Eves painted "a pussy cat with chicken pox", while five year old Hannah Murphy's artwork featured a zebra, elephant and giraffe playing together at the zoo.

Five year old Hannah Murphy shows her artwork to Papalya Children's Centre teacher, Erin Dengate (left), and Fine Arts student, Taryn Raffan.

"The animals are having a competition to see who can stand the best and the zebra is the judge," Hannah said by way of explanation of her piece. 

These are just two examples of the whimsical artworks (and their delightful descriptions) that will be on show in Papalya Children's Centre's forthcoming exhibition Art Across the Ages. 

 The entry-free exhibition is open from October 25 to November 1 at the Erina Centre, Erina Fair, with the grand opening on October 27 from 6pm-8pm. 

The exhibition combines 60 masterpieces by preschoolers aged between 18 months and five years with the work of Taryn Raffan, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student from Newcastle University.  

Taryn recently visited Papalya to share her love of art with the children and to provide them with inspiration for their artistic journey.  

"I really connected with the children -- we had great fun sharing our life experiences and love of the environment through painting," she said.  

The Director of Papalya Children's Centre, Debbie Andrews, said the Art across the Ages Exhibition showcased how art allows children to explore their creativity, express their ideas and individuality, and release their feelings and emotions. 

"The exhibition includes photos of the children working on their paintings to illustrate just how much joy children receive from self-expression," she said. 

Ms Andrews said even children under two could create amazing paintings with big brushes and bright colours. 

"Pablo Picasso once said every child is an artist -- the problem is how to keep the artists within us all once we become adults," she said. 

"Having Taryn exhibit her work beside the children's pieces lets them see that creativity can continue on through life and that art is something you can choose as your profession when you grow up."