WORKS WANTED: Curator Melissa Elliott is inviting artists to submit art pieces to a prestigious annual competition. Times photo Bruce Nicholson

• Howick and Botany Times

ENTRIES are now open in an art competition designed to spread the message of the importance of conservation.

The annual Estuary Artworks is on again and its organiser is calling for submissions of original pieces with $9000 of prizes on the line.

The awards, which have a particular focus on preserving the Tamaki Estuary, will see the winner presented with a cheque for $5000 in exchange for their work, which will become part of the Auckland Council’s art collection.

The winner of the people’s choice award, to be decided by visitors to the exhibition of finalists, will receive $2000.

Melissa Elliott, curator at Uxbridge, Howick’s creative centre, is overseeing the competition and will decide which entries go through to the finals.

She’s assembling a panel of three expert judges, including Chris Saines, the Auckland Art Gallery director, to choose the overall winner.

“All entries must be original works and we’re looking for pieces of a high standard, which is why there’s a selection process,” Mrs Elliott told the Times.

“We want to see something thoughtful, where the artist has done a bit of research and not just painted a pretty picture.”

Mrs Elliott is interested in receiving paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, audio-visual works, and anything with a “contemporary edge”. All entries must adhere to a size limit of 1.5-metres by 1.5m.

“This is a good opportunity for people to have their work exhibited,” she says.

“It’s probably our most high profile show and is always visited by a large number of people.

“The winner also has the chance to hold an exhibition of their works at Uxbridge the following year.

“For emerging artists, it’s a great opportunity for professional development.”

The Estuary Artworks previous winner is former Macleans College art teacher Sarah Brill.

Her work, Conserve or Catalogue, comprises images of bird and plant life on pieces of round concrete. It’s intended to resemble a museum exhibit and beat out more than 80 other entries to win the competition earlier this year.

Mrs Brill used part of her prize money on hypnotherapy to rid herself of a fear of creepy crawlies. Her phobia of spiders was preventing her from travelling to Australia to visit a friend and she has since been cured.

To enter the Estuary Artworks, phone Melissa Elliott on (09) 535-6467, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Entries close on February 2 and all works must be delivered between February 2-4 to the arts centre at 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. The exhibition of finalists’ work will run February 17 to March 8.