This year is International Volunteer Year, so we are shining a light on some of Christchurch’s most passionate volunteers.

Art is good for the soul and so are children, that’s according to Julie Stewart who has combined two of her passions for her role at The Christchurch Art Gallery.

She’s been volunteering at the gallery’s education programme for five years now.

A schoolteacher by trade, after forty years in the classroom she wanted to find purpose in her retirement.

“When I was a teacher, I would bring classes to the art gallery and I loved it and I always thought when I retire, I am going to come and volunteer here – I get to enjoy art and the children without all the responsibility

“Each weekday we get two lots of school children from all over the city into the gallery, we show them around, teach them about art, and they get to make their own piece.”

Julie has always loved art but her face lights up when she talks about the children.

“My favourite part of the job is being with the children, it’s amazing what they come up with, their ideas, their questions, they’re so inspired.

“A standout is when a child pointed to Quasi a giant hand sculpture by New Zealand artist Ronnie van Hout which was on top of the gallery and said ‘oh that’s handy’”

Originally from the UK, Julie says Christchurch is lucky to have such a world class gallery.

“What’s really lovely is the children come back with their whanau and show them what they’ve learned or show them their favourite pieces, it’s great to see people enjoying the space.”

“While I don’t have a favourite piece of art, there’s always different exhibitions, it’s very well curated here, it’s a great asset to the city.”

Julie also volunteers at the Court Theatre and as a reader writer where she helps children who struggle with reading and writing with their school exams but admits her job at the Art Gallery is her favourite.

“Art is good for the soul; you have to stop and look at it and it kind of takes you out of what else is going on in your life.”

Image: Julie Stewart in front of works by Serene Hodgman from the exhibition Made in the Pacific: A Collection of Tāoga, 2026