"It's very important for (kids) to get in touch with their history. Our generations go back 200 years here, this is all part of family and it's all brought out each time, so (kids) realize what their connections are," Bedell said.

Quinte Roots exhibits are held every second Tuesday of every month in the John M. Parrott Art Gallery, Belleville Public Library. But this time it was a little different because it is March Break. The exhibits are usually geared toward adults, but Tuesday it was expanded to engage both adults and children, using a wide range of different techniques to teach Quinte residents about their past and the past of the region.

"Normally it's from 1:30 p.m. till 2:30 p.m.," said gallery assistant Suzanne Bruyea. She said so much has been added to the event that they had to extend the hours.

"It's a wonderful way to educate the public and to keep them informed about their past because their past is what brought them to where we are today," said Bruyea.

The exhibit is of great interest to the public according to gallery staff.

"A lot of people are interested in our history and certainly should pay attention to our past so we know where we've come from and to know how our ancestors lived in years gone by," said Elizabeth Mitchell, head of information services for Belleville Public Library.

Mitchell said a lot of people are attracted to the genealogy of the region.

"There's certainly a lot of interest in the pioneer life and how our ancestors lived. Frequently, when they're chasing their ancestors they also like to know how their ancestors lived - not just the names and the dates. So anything that can bring that to life will help them to understand the lives of their ancestors," she said.

Even if you don't want to know your family's history it's important to know bloodlines in case of medical emergencies, said Lisa Vanmeer, a member of the Hastings County Historical Society (HCHS).

"It's really important to know, especially in today's society, who you are and where you came from," said Vanmeer.

Several members of the HCHS were present.

"It's a chance to see a variety of things. You have storytelling, you have music, and there's information from a writer,” said Gerry Boyce, heritage advisor for the HCHS. “It's a variety of things which are intended to show people what life was like in the past, and not just young people, who are off on March Break, but also their parents and friends,"

"I think this is the first time they've tried anything quite like this here," said Boyce.

Children began streaming into the gallery shortly before 1:30 p.m., making it a hub of activity by 1:45 p.m. About 10 different booths were set up, ranging from a First Nations historical musical instrument booth to Second World War artifacts, supplied by the National Air Force Museum of Canada.

Dinkel invites all to come and try it. For those who doubt their artistic abilities and techniques she states that art... "is like anything, practice makes things better you will become,  and obviously when you are in the company of others it motivates you even more."

From the back of the studio Rosanna another local artist from Trenton jokingly says, "The enthusiasm we have here is contagious."

The statement draws general agreement from everyone in the room and Dinkel adds, "We are an easy group of people who enjoy each others company because it is a very relaxed environment.   You can tell how much we enjoy what we're getting quieter and quieter."