Small Work Takes Big Prize

A small work submitted by Frances Stachl of Whanganui took the Best in Show prize of $700 at the 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre on Thursday.

The exhibition and awards are presented by the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust. The annual exhibition is open to artists living and working in New Zealand, and is in its fifth year.

The judges for this year’s awards were Esther Topfer, trustee and a Whanganui printmaker, Sarah Williams, a Whanganui painter and gallery manager, and Mikaere Gardiner, a painter, from Taumarunui.

They selected Ms Stachl’s work, The Baby and the Bathwater, for its rendering of something insignificant such as a bathplug and the layering of perceptions and concepts by use of materials and elaborate production. Made from sterling silver, deer antler, and beef bone, The Baby and the Bathwater work has been well received by viewers to the exhibition.

Certificates of Merit prizes of $100 were awarded to Becka-Lee Biggs of Whanganui for her digital print Humble Bee, and to previous Merit winner, Andria Pablo of Wellington, for her large work Tonatiuh Ra, comprising of Aztec iconography made from beads, drawing together her cultural heritages of New Zealand and Mexico.

There were a total of 43 works submitted by artists from Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, the Kapiti Coast, Manawatu, Marlborough, Rangitikei, Tararua, and Wellington. The competition is designed to create a national platform for visual artists in painting, printmaking, photography, glass production, sculpture and mixed media, and to build relationships between the national arts sector and the Whanganui arts community.

The exhibition is open at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre till September 6. The 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards is supported by Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Mickey’s Superliquor, and the Grand Hotel.

The 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

The 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

The annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards is open to artists from across New Zealand.

Opening Function and Award Presentation at the Community Arts Centre, 5pm to 7pm, Thursday August 22, 2013

Entry forms can be downloaded from HERE, requested from the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust, 22 Drews Avenue, Whanganui 4500, or by emailing whanganuinational@gmail.com

Best in Show Award prize $700
Two Certificate of Merit prizes are $100 each

Judges:

Esther Topfer
Sarah Williams
Mikaere Gardiner

Key Dates:

Monday August 19 to Wednesday August 21, 2013
Work submitted to the Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui, between 10.30am & 4pm

Thursday August 22, 2013
Opening Function and Award Presentation at the Community Arts Centre, 5pm to 7pm

Friday September 6, 2013
Final day of exhibition

Saturday September 7, 2013
Collection and Freighting of work from the Community Arts Centre between 10.30am & 4pm

Thanks to our sponsors to date for their support of the 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards; Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, the Grand Hotel, and Mickey's Superliquor.

Entry form for the 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

Entry form for the 2013 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards available for download:

Click here for 2013 Entry Form

The Whanganui National Arts Scholarship

The Whanganui National Arts Scholarship

The Whanganui National Arts Scholarship is another initiative to match the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust's charitable purposes. The scholarship of $300 is awarded to a past student of a secondary school in the Whanganui region last year, and is currently enrolled in first year study in a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or Glass Production and Design diploma at a recognised tertiary educational institution in New Zealand.

Application Forms and Terms and Conditions can be downloaded from www.optiv101.com.

To encourage youth into fine arts tertiary education, the trust offers a $300 arts scholarship to an immediate past student of a Whanganui secondary school (that is, having been a student at a secondary school in the Whanganui region in the year prior to application), and currently enrolled in the first year of study for a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree or Glass Production and Design Diploma at a New Zealand university, polytechnic, or other recognised tertiary educational institution.

This award is determined on a selective basis and requires the submission of a completed application form, portfolio, and supporting information.

DEADLINE

Return the completed application form along with your supporting documents by 5pm, June 28th, 2013 to the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust to be awarded for the upcoming second semester.

KEY DATES:

5pm, June 28th, 2013 Applications deadline

July 29th, 2013 Notification of result of applications to all applicants

July 31st, 2013 Payment of scholarship to successful applicant

For application forms or further information contact:

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust
Old Chronicle Building
22 Drews Avenue
Whanganui 4500

Telephone: ++64 21 296 4451
Email: whanganuinational@gmail.com
Web: www.optiv101.com

Stag Party Wins 2012 Whanganui National Best in Show

Stag Party Wins 2012 Whanganui National Best in Show

A small framed mezzotint wins the Best in Show Award at the 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition. By Esmee McAuley of Whanganui, the playful work grabbed the attention of the judges with its velvet blacks, the standard text of skulls and mortality, and an addition of a tiara. As the title of the work implies, Stag Party is one for the boys that conveys the drunken hungover morning haze of tiaras, strip clubs, and a mysterious woman's panties in the jacket pocket. How do I explain this to the missus? Dead man walking!

Congratulations to prize winners of the 2012 Whanganui National Art Awards

2012 Whanganui National Art Awards Best in Show winner

Stag Party, Mezzotint, by Esmee McAuley, Whanganui

2012 Whanganui National Art Awards Certificates of Merit

Chica's Soul, Mixed Media, by Andria Pablo, Wellington

The Propitious Emergence of Interminable Weirdness, Glicee Print, by Elijah Lamont, Whanganui

For the fourth annual awards show, 50 artists entered from around 12 regions around New Zealand. The conveners, the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust, are very pleased with the number of entries submitted, and the quality of the works.

Judges

Aaron Potaka (Whanganui) - Printmaker

Pat Cush (Whanganui) - Painter and Printmaker

Sheyne Tuffery (Wellington)- Printmaker

Sponsored by Creative Communities Wanganui District, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Pub Charity, The United Lodge of Wanganui No.468, Whanganui Community Foundation, and Mickey's Superliquor.

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards promotes the fine arts in New Zealand. As a leading city in training and nurturing it's artists, Whanganui takes its place as one of the movers and shakers in contemporary New Zealand art with the annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards.

Established in 2009, the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards has all works for sale and a cash award is given to the artist with the Best in Show as judged by a selection panel.

The competition is open to all artists living and working in New Zealand, and offers an array of styles and tastes. The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards aims to promote New Zealand artists and New Zealand contemporary arts, and to bring new arts experiences to the city.

The 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards, August 24 to September 14, 2012 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Whanganui

Sponsors Coming Onboard as Whanganui National Approaches

Sponsors Coming Onboard as Whanganui National Approaches

New sponsors have come onboard as the 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards approaches with less than two months to go before the exhibition opens at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre in August.

Pub Charity and Creative Communities Wanganui District have joined Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, The United Lodge of Wanganui No.468, and Mickey's Superliquor in bringing this year's event.

Receiving days are from August 20 to 22, 10.30am to 4pm, at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Whanganui. Entry forms are available  for download from http://www.24bar7.com/.

The Opening Function and Awards Presentation will be August 23 at 5pm. Printmakers and painters Aaron Potaka and Pat Cush of Whanganui, and Sheyne Tuffery, a multimedia artist from Wellington, are the judges selecting the Best in Show, and Certificates of Merit.

2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards


The 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards entry form has been released for artists aiming to submit to the competition in August. The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in New Zealand.


Entry forms are available online from http://www.24bar7.com/
 The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust are the conveners of the exhibition. The trustees are pleased with the growing recognition of the event. The Best in Show Award includes a $500 prize. Two Certificates of Merit carry a prize $100.


The judges for the 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards are Aaron Potaka, trustee and a Whanganui printmaker, Pat Cush, a Whanganui painter, and Sheyne Tuffery of Wellington, a printmaker. The judges will select the Best in Show Award and two Certificates of Merit winners.


The competition is designed to create a national platform for visual artists in painting, printmaking, photography, glass production, sculpture and mixed media, and to build relationships between the national arts sector and the Whanganui arts community. The Whanganui National is a competition where New Zealand artists and arts are supported by the art conscious public of this city, and acknowledge the talent of the country’s artists with awards.


The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust are pleased with the growth of the Award Exhibition, with artists from across New Zealand entering.


Receiving days are August 20 to 22, 2012 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui


The Awards Presentation will be made at the opening function at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre on Thursday, August 23, 2012. The the exhibition runs till September 14.


The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust are pleased with the growth of the Award Exhibition, with artists from across New Zealand entering.


The Trust is grateful for the sponsorships to date from the United Lodge of Wanganui No. 468, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, and Mickey’s, in presenting the 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards.

Trust Invites Public to Open Studio

Trust Invites Public to Open Studio

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust is excited about participating in the 2012 Whanganui Artists Open Studios in March. It is a proactive way to promote Trust events and activities, as well as engage the public in demonstrations in painting and printmaking and other disciplines.

The trust was set up in 2010 to convene the annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards, and has a group of enthusiastic arts and business practitioners as Trustees. Having the awards show grow each year has prompted the trust to expand its activities to engage more with the wider community, and that includes the Open Studio.

Trust chairman Aaron Potaka is pleased to be able to have the trustees, as working artists and business mentors, participating in Open Studio. "What is really apparent from the buzz coming from the trustees is the excitement of directly engaging the public through their art making and promoting", he says.

Mr Potaka says it is important for the trust that the public sees art in process, from blank canvases and papers to finished works. "That way visitors have a real insight into art making and build a rapport with the artists and their works, away from the gallery environment where that relationship is less intimate."

The trustees consist of Aaron Potaka as a printmaker and painter, Neil Buddle working in printmaking and mixed media assemblage, Esther Topfer as mixed media artist and printmaker, Sandra Louwrens de Kock working with painting media, whilst Bernie Steyn is a fine arts student. Ariki Toru is responsible for trust development and marketing.

The Trust Open Studio will have an Exhibition of Trustees showing the works of the trustees, as well as the working studio, with the possibility of workshops for visitors in painting and printmaking.

Visitors can learn about what the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust does, upcoming Trust events and activities, and the promotion of New Zealand contemporary fine arts. "We are really looking forward to entertaining, enlightening and engaging with our visitors to send them of with a behind-the-scenes look and hands-on participation in art making, and a better appreciation of art practice", Mr Potaka says.

The 2012 Whanganui Artists Open Studios is on 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th of March.

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust Open Studio is located on Level One, the Old Chronicle Building, 22 Drews Ave, Whanganui, and open from 10am to 4pm.

Thanks to Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Mathathane Studio, and the Whanganui Arts Marketing and Development Trust for their support.

Optiv101 Supporting Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust

Optiv101 Supporting Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust

Trustees of the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust will be exhibiting their works and demonstrating their art practices in the Whanganui Artists Open Studios 2012 (17 & 18 and 24 & 25 March 2012).

Aaron Potaka, Chairman, is a printmaker and painter, Neil Buddle, Treasurer, works in printmaking and mixed media assemblage, Esther Topfer, Secretary, uses mixed media and printmaking, Sandra Louwrens de Kock, Trustee, works with painting media, and Bernie Steyn, Trustee, is a fine arts student.

Learn what the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust does to promote New Zealand contemporary fine arts.

Level One, Old Chronicle Building, 22 Drews Ave, Whanganui.

Thanks to Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios for their support.

Whanganui Artists Take Treble

Whanganui Artists Take Treble

Whanganui artists were a winning treble at the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards where artists were showing from Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Wellington, and Otago.

In a strong local line up amongst the 48 artists on display, Pam Sears won through with her mixed media sculpture Nappy Brain to take the Best in Show Award. Alice Kim with her drawing Mind Map and Bernie Steyn with his painting Sentinel claimed Certificates of Merit.

The exhibition is showing until October 2 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, and was opened on Friday evening by Esther Topfer, secretary of conveners The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust. Earlier in the afternoon, judges Neil Buddle and Andrea Du Chatenier both of Whanganui, and Dane Pace of Auckland attended a preview session to choose the prize winners.

Ms Du Chatenier said that Ms Sears’ work was chosen Best in Show for the use of media, the concept of a new mother and her baby adjusting hormonally and emotionally to literal life changes, and the way she realised her work as a skull presented on a plinth to have a certain presence in the room.

Mr Buddle said that judges were overwhelmed by the intensity of Ms Kim’s Mind Map in scale, colour, patterns, and rhythms of the work. Ms Kim’s Certificate of Merit was presented to her son James in her absence. He said that she would be very pleased with the acknowledgement of her work by the judges and would like to thank the other artists for participating in the Whanganui National.

Bernie Steyn was also absent at the presentation. Mr Pace said that judges were impressed with the capturing of the dynamic changing of light in his landscape under a sunrise. The colour theory was well considered, a deep green and ochre of the land to launch a vibrancy of white and orange in the sky.

Ms Topfer said that the trust is pleased with the growing uptake nationally for the show with this exhibition being the biggest yet with forty-eight artists with five trustees and judges exhibiting as well.

“The Whanganui National is about artists from across New Zealand competing and aiming for their personal bests each time. It is good for us as artists and audience that we see the best from other artists, because we get new standards to reference from and we see what is happening elsewhere,” she says.

Ms Topfer said that it is a trust policy that the judges show to exhibit their credentials, and, the trustees as practicing artists also show to encourage fine arts as a path to youth and young people to engage the community

Ms Topfer said that the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust is thankful for all its volunteers in the exhibition that takes over six months to implement. All that work is realised into a week of receipt and handling of works, and the last few hours of hanging the works before the judging session and opening.

“We hope that all our volunteers have gained some experience and insight into exhibition production. However, without them participating freely, we could not have done this in those months and few final hours. They play a big part in the Whanganui National when it matters,” she says.

Ms Topfer said that the trust is grateful for the support of their sponsors for their aid in bringing New Zealand art to Whanganui. “Our thanks to Creative Communities NZ Wanganui District, The Lion Foundation, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Pub Charity, The United Lodge of Wanganui No. 468, The Trusts Charitable Foundation, and Mickey’s Superliquor”.

More Sponsors for 2011 Whanganui National

More Sponsors for 2011 Whanganui National

The 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards gains more support as the competition nears. Two new sponsors have come on board in the past week, being The Trusts Charitable Foundation and The United Lodge of Wanganui No.468.

They join Creative Communities Wanganui District, The Lion Foundation, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Pub Charity, and Mickey's Superliquor as sponsors to date.

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust is grateful for their support of the arts in general and the 2011 Whanganui National in particular.

Receiving days are less than three weeks away from September 5 to 7 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre. The competition is open to all artists living and working in New Zealand.

Entry form with terms and conditions are available from www.24bar7.com.

The 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards is a Real Whanganui Festival event.

Interest Widespread For 2011 Whanganui National

Interest Widespread For 2011 Whanganui National

Call for entries have been made nationwide since May for the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards. The exhibition and the Best in Show Award are presented by the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust, with support from The Lion Foundation, Creative Communities NZ Wanganui District, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Pub Charity and Mickey's Superliquor as sponsors. More sponsors are to be announced soon.

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust promotes the fine arts in New Zealand. As a leading city in training and nurturing it's artists, Wanganui takes its place as one of the movers and shakers in contemporary New Zealand art annually with this exhibition and the awards.

Trust secretary Esther Topfer says that interest is wide-ranging. "We see that the Whanganui National is hitting the radar for artists all over New Zealand, so we are expecting good turnouts from across the regions", she says.

Recent works are encouraged with the criteria of being made in the last twelve months. By presenting the Best in Show award and Certificates of Merit, the Trust promotes and encourages a career in the arts for the winning artists with these national awards.

The judges for this year's competition are Aucklander Dane Pace, a painter recently graduated from Unitech's School of Visual Design, mixed media artist and arts lecturer Andrea Du Chatenier of Whanganui, and Neil Buddle, trustee and printmaker, also of Whanganui.

The exhibition overall is more particularly an important venue for all of the works submitted, being a showcase of New Zealand artists. The annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards aims to promote New Zealand artists and New Zealand contemporary arts, and to bring new arts experiences to Wanganui. The trust looks forward to showing an exhibition of New Zealand artists in the city.

Receiving Days for entries into the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exihibtion and Awards are fast approaching.

Receiving Days
September 5 to 7, 2011,
10.30am to 4.00pm
Wanganui Community Arts Centre,
19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui

Opening Function
September 9, 2011, 5pm

Exhibition Hours
September 10 to October 2, 2011
Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.24bar7.com

or contact
Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust,
PO Box 7318, Wanganui 4541,
email: contact@24bar7.com
mobile: 021 296 4451

Dane Pace Judging 2011 Whanganui National

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust acquired a new judge for the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards.

Painter Dane Pace from Auckland joins Andrea Du Chatenier, mixed media artist and arts lecturer of Whanganui and Neil Buddle, trustee and printmaker also of Whanganui. The three judges will select the Best in Show and two Certificates of Merit winners.

Though exempt from any prizes, the judges will also be exhibiting, offering the chance for visitors and submitting artists to see their work.

Trust chairman Aaron Potaka says that with the unavailability of Sheyne Tuffery as a judge due to a clashing of dates, “having Dane Pace is just as smart a move for everyone. He’s very keen to acknowledge New Zealand art at the Whanganui National”.

Mr Potaka says “the original mix of practitioners and working artists is still there amongst the judges. They are looking forward to those works that are at the forefront for them. The Best in Show and Merits selection is always in capable hands”.

The exhibition is open to artists living and working in New Zealand. Receiving days for the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards are September 5 to 7, 2011 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre.

The awards are seen as recognition of the qualities of the winning artworks, and judges exhibiting their own work create a two way relationship with the artists and audience. “Judges are under scrutiny having their credentials on show like the artists who have entered the competition”, Mr Potaka says.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.24bar7.com.

The Opening Function and Awards Presentation will be held at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre on Friday September 9, 5pm to 8pm. The exhibition runs until October 2.

The trust thanks their sponsors to date; The Lion Foundation, Creative Communities Wanganui District, Pub Charity, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, and Mickey's Superliquor.

The 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards is a Real Whanganui Festival event.

New Sponsor for the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards Trust is pleased to announce a new sponsor for this year's award exhibition.

Pub Charity has come on board, joining our current sponsors for this year's event.


We would like to thank Pub Charity, Creative Communities Wanganui District, The Lion Foundation, Mickey's Superliquor, and Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios for their support of the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards.


Those artists who are interested in submitting a work, can download an entry form from http://www.24bar7.com

Entry Open for 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards

The 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards entry form has been released for artists aiming to submit to the competition in September. The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in New Zealand.

The 2011 Entry form is available online from www.24bar7.com and http://media.tripod.lycos.com/1855353/1725408.pdf.

The Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust are the conveners of the exhibition. The trustees are pleased with the growing recognition of the event. The Best in Show Award includes a $500 prize. Two Certificates of Merit carry a prize of $100 each.

The competition is designed to create a national platform for visual artists in painting, printmaking, photography, glass production, sculpture and mixed media, and to build relationships between the national arts sector and the Whanganui arts community. The Whanganui National is a competition where New Zealand artists and arts are supported by the art conscious public of this city, and acknowledge the talent of the country’s artists with awards.

Receiving days are September 5 to 7, 2011 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre .The Awards Presentation will be made at the opening function on September 9, 2011. The the exhibition runs till October 2 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui.

The Trust is grateful for the sponsorships from the Wanganui District Creative Communities NZ, Lion Foundation, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, and Mickey’s, in presenting the 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards. New sponsors will be announced soon.

2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards Planning and Preparation Underway

The 2011 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards planning and preparation is underway. The organisers are aiming for more artists and viewers than last year. This year the exhibition runs from September 9 to October 2 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre. Hand-in dates are from September 5 to 7.

In 2010 the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust was compelled by the judges to instigate two Certificates of Merit to complement the Best in Show Award, which the Trust is continuing with. In 2011, not only is there the prize of $500 for the Best in Show Award winner, but now new $100 prizes for each of the two Certificates of Merits winners.

To date, three sponsors have been confirmed for the 2011 event; Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, The Lion Foundation, and Mickey's Superliquor. The trust thanks these businesses and organisations for their support.

Whanganui National Art Award Win to Christine Haber

Whanganui National Art Award Win to Christine Haber

Christine Haber, Whanganui, Tread Lightly on the Foreshore, photograph
2010 Whanganui National Art Award Best in Show Winner

Desiree Oosthuysen, Auckland, Tui in Kowhai Tree, mixed media
2010 Whanganui National Art Award Certificate of Merit

Leonie Sharp, Whanganui, Scoari, fabric, feathers, fibre
2010 Whanganui National Art Award Certificate of Merit

The 2010 Whanganui National Art Award was won by Whanganui photographer Christine Haber, the second year in a row a Whanganui artist has taken Best in Show. In this year’s exhibition, 20 artworks were submitted by artists from Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui, Wellington and Otago.

Ms Haber was ectastic with her win. “To be selected the 2010 Whanganui National Art Award Winner from amongst all these other artists who entered from around New Zealand gives me such pride. These works here are all capable of winning”, she said.

Judges Marty Vreede, printmaker and printmaking lecturer at Whanganui UCOL, and Richard Aslett, award winning painter and graphic artist were impressed with the quality of light and dynamic of Ms Haber’s winning entry titled Tread Lightly on the Foreshore. The photograph of a bronze statue’s foot on a sandstone rock had a tension that is a core principle of art. Mr Vreede says, “The delicate exposure and composition were appealing to us. It’s softness of tones and lines give fluidity to a static object.”

Certificate of Merits were given to Tui in Kowhai Tree by Desiree Oosthuysen from Auckland and Scaori by Leonie Sharp from Whanganui. Mr Aslett said that Tui in Kowhai Tree blazed with blue of the sky, and the layering of paint to create the dazzle of tui plumage. “For Scaori we enjoyed the way Ms Sharp incorporated Maori and Scottish cultures of whakapapa and New Zealand history by Korowai and Tartan, pheasant feathers and flax”, he said.

The exhibition runs till October 6 at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui. The convener of the exhibition and presenter of the award is the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust. The award competition and prize money are designed to create a national platform for visual artists in the Whanganui region, and to develop dialogue and relationships between the national arts sector and the Whanganui arts community.

Trust Secretary and spokeswoman Esther Topfer said that a national exhibition is important exposure for artists. She says “The Whanganui National Art Award is top of the line. The competition is huge and the judging is very critical. It’s taking your work to a wider audience and the artists have the chance of winning an award that will play a big part in driving forward their careers.” Ms Topfer said that the introduction of the Certificate of Merits was in response to the strengths of the exhibition as a whole and those merited works in particular.

She said that the trust is grateful for the sponsorships from the Wanganui District Creative Communities NZ, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Powerco Wanganui Trust, Whanganui Community Foundation, and Mickey’s, in presenting the 2010 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award.

Whanganui National a Blue Ribbon Exhibition

The annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award are designed to create a national platform for visual artists in the Whanganui region, and to develop dialogue and relationships between the national arts sector and the Whanganui arts community.

Held at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay in Wanganui, the opening function is on September 17 at 5pm, while the exhibition runs till October 6.

The convener, the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust, is excited about the prospects of this year’s event, comparing its small beginning last year showing artists from Wellington, the Hawkes Bay, and the Whanganui regions. For the 2010 show, the trust has been successful in generating further interest from throughout New Zealand.

The chairman of the trust, Aaron Potaka, feels that the exhibition and award is certainly on the national arts calendar, saying all indications are that “this exhibition now has a serious presence in the New Zealand contemporary arts scene in only its second year.”

“Considering the calibre of entries, the judging panel, and the real contenders for last year’s award, this exhibition is becoming an influential show of New Zealand artists and for them to be recognised, viewed, and patronised at the Whanganui National Art Exhibition”, he says.

The trust has increased the award prize to $500 for the work considered Best in Show. This year’s three judges are Marty Vreede, printmaker and printmaking lecturer at Whanganui UCOL, Richard Aslett, award winning painter and graphic artist, and a trustee of the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust the final selector.

Trustees have the purpose of promoting high quality New Zealand contemporary visual art in Wanganui, that commands attention nationally and internationally, and the award is an encouragement to artists from throughout New Zealand to enter their latest works.

The trustees are working and practicing artists, so they understand the value of recognition and exhibiting in a national show, and the influence of a Best in Show award in their careers. “This is indeed a blue ribbon event in New Zealand visual arts”, Mr Potaka says.

Mr Potaka says that the trust is grateful for the sponsorships from the Wanganui District Creative Communities NZ, Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Powerco Wanganui Trust, Whanganui Community Foundation, and Mickey’s, in presenting the 2010 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award.

Interest Grows in Whanganui National

Call for entries have been made nationwide for the 2010 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award. The exhibition and prize money of $500 for the Best in Show Award are presented by the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust, with support from Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios, Creative Communities NZ Wanganui District, Powerco Wanganui Trust, Whanganui Community Foundation, and Mickey's as sponsors.

We appreciate their support, for the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust promotes the fine arts in New Zealand. As a leading city in training and nurturing it's artists, Wanganui takes its place as one of the movers and shakers in contemporary New Zealand art annually with this exhibition and award.

Receiving Days for entries into the 2010 Whanganui National Art Exihibtion and Award are fast approaching. Open to all artists residing and working in New Zealand, presenting work from the last 12 months.

Receiving Days
September 13 to 15, 2010,
10.30am to 4.00pm
Wanganui Community Arts Centre,
19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui

Opening Function
September 17, 2010, 5pm

Exhibition Hours
September 18 to October 6, 2010
Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday 9am to 1pm

Entry forms can be downloaded from http://www.24bar7.com/

or contact
Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award Trust,
PO Box 7318, Wanganui 4541,
email: contact@24bar7.com
mobile: 021 296 4451.

Recent works are encouraged with the criteria of work being made in the last twelve months. By presenting the Best in Show award, decided by a selection panel, the Trust promotes and encourages a career in the arts for the winning artist with this national award.

The exhibition overall is more particularly an important venue for all of the works submitted, being a showcase of New Zealand artists. The annual Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award aims to promote New Zealand artists and New Zealand contemporary arts, and to bring new arts experiences to Wanganui. We look forward to showing an exhibition of New Zealand artists in the city.

Latest Sponsor for Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award 2010

The Whanganui Community Foundation is the newest sponsor on board for the Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Award 2010.

Thank you to our sponsors to date:

Communities NZ Wanganui District

Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios

Powerco Wanganui Trust

Whanganui Community Foundation

Mickey's