• Howick and Pakuranga Times
THE deadline for entries into this year’s Royal Easter Show Art Awards is February 26.
Open to artists of all ages, amateur and professional, the awards make up New Zealand’s largest open art competition.
With a prize pool of more than $40,000 and a range of categories open to artists of all levels of experience and expertise, the competition attracts about 2000 entries.
There are painting and photography sections.
Printmaking, ceramics and pottery, glass and woodcraft are other regular categories.
Recent additions include sections for painting and ceramics for youngsters who are aged 10-18, and wearable glass.
This year’s competition theme is “reflections of New Zealand”, encompassing all things that make this country unique.
Entries will be exhibited in the art pavilion during the Royal Easter Show, which runs from April 1-5 at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, with most also up for sale at reasonable prices.
Show co-ordinator Gaylene Ashton says the organisers have been impressed with the increase in quality of art presented in the past few years.
“There’s some significant prize money and a wide range of categories for artists of all levels of experience,” says Ms Ashton.
“With the largest viewing audience of any show in the country, it also provides artists with an excellent opportunity to display and sell their work, with literally hundreds of artworks sold.”
The winner of last year’s most successful artist in show award, Bernadette Parsons, says: “It’s a prestigious event, a great show in which to win an award and a great place to show your work.”
For an entry form and schedule, visit www.royaleastershow.co.nz, or phone (09) 623-7697.
Entries must be received by 5pm on February 26.
