Art awards showcase our local talent

In February Estuary Arts Centre hosted the ninth Hibiscus and Bays annual art awards. Featuring 80 works of art, five local artists took out significant prizes.

The Premier award for 2D work went to Red Beach artist Susannah Law with her piece the NZ bush bathed in moonlight, using a unique technique of marbling for the shadowed trees and bringing attention to the pekapeka/ native bat of Aotearoa. Joint Premier winner was Sheree Foster with a unique sculptural work using copper, leather and nikau frond. This was the first year we ran a Maori art award and Bernadette Ross’s piece Moana Anu Anu took centre stage. Judge Holly Aymes said, ‘Bernadette takes you on a haerenga across the moana with her raranga/weaving skills’. The under 21 year youth award went to local artist Jasmine Reynolds with her acrylic painting The Big Friendly Monster under my bed. Auckland renowned artist and judge Evan Woodruffe said, ‘Jasmine’s monster is a luminous figure glowing out from the dark background. This painting is full of narrative and painterly interest.’ Other local winners included Amanda Moore, Tracey Currington and Elizabeth Walker. Congratulations to all of the eight winners. The exhibition runs until 12 March and there is still the People’s Choice Award to vote for, so come on down to the arts centre to view the work and make your choice.

After the awards, four new exhibitions go up for the month of March. In gallery one view Magical Aoteaora where three artists, Susannah Law, Heather Maree Owens and Kim Boyd, take a unique look into the mythical world we call home. In gallery two view the distinctive abstract and colourful work of Sylvie Joyce. In gallery three Jill Bryce showcases her seascapes and ceramic works of art.

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Keep an eye out for exciting upcoming weekend workshops. Head to our website www.estuaryarts.org to view and book or pop into the Centre at 214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa.