Year one Lake Cathie Public School student Olivia Morgan’s artwork ‘Crazy Croc’ has been selected in the top 50 artworks selected for inclusion in the permanent art collection at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Olivia’s artwork is now hanging at the official Operation Art Exhibition at the Armory Gallery in Sydney Olympic Park before finding its home in hospital. 

Olivia’s top 50 selection is an honour, considering her artwork was chosen from more than 870 students from 271 schools around the State.

Operation Art project officer, Lisa van den Dolder, said the artworks on display this year reinforced the power artwork has to influence mood and emotion.

“You can’t help but smile as you walk around the exhibition. The artworks are all so bright,colourful and optimistic, truly reflecting what Operation Art is all about - cheering up children in hospital,” she said.

“For children in hospital, art offers a place to escape from the real world of tests, procedures and treatments and provides them with a space for their imaginations to thrive and I think the students this year have really understood that.”