Blooming great
A Wanaka based-artist, Andi Regan, has taken out the major prize at the opening night of the Central Otago Art Awards.
Judges awarded the Central Lakes Trust Excellence Award of $5000 to Ms Regan for "Central Bloom", which explored the use of everyday materials, including plastic cable ties which she hand dyed to create an elegant and delicate bowl. The previous week Andi had her work featured in the World of Wearable Art Awards in Wellington.
The runner-up prize, the Central Otago News Award of $2000 - for an outstanding Central Otago artist, was awarded to Megan Huffadine of Bannockburn for her work "A Page of Incantations". Originally a collection of found objects, Megan interpreted and reworked these into sculptural forms, always keeping the viewer interested by their ambiguity.
The opening night, held last Thursday at the repainted and reorganised Russell Henderson Gallery at Central Stories in Alexandra, saw enthusiastic artists, performers and viewers flocking in even before the doors were officially open. The fifty exhibited works, selected from over 200 entries, were judged by Elizabeth Caldwell Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Jim Geddes Director of the Eastern Southland Gallery. Later they spoke about the prizes they had awarded, explaining how they had made their choices.
Organiser Central Otago Arts Coordinator Maxine Williams has confirmed that the event has established a place on next year’s art calendar.
“If this is the harbinger, then NZ artists and viewers alike will eagerly anticipate the next Central Otago Art Awards, which are sure to be a highlight on the arts calendar. It was, altogether, a fantastic evening and a splendid showcase for contemporary art in New Zealand.”
Many attendees said they were wooed by the exhibition and enjoyed listening to the music of Vanilla Vine (Maria Affleck and Sharon McLennan), who entertained throughout the evening while guests enjoyed local wines and finger foods. Later in the night Libby Hamilton delighted the audience with three songs and Kevin Ireland, artist in residence at Henderson House, Alexandra, read some of his wonderful poetry.
Social bookmarking
Member Profile
Central Otago ArtsCENTRAL OTAGO ARTS
The art roads of Central Otago branch through silent tracks and hidden byways. The region attracts artists the way it draws visitors to its wild and spectacular scenery and stunning unspoiled wilderness. Here, you’ll find painters, sculptors, glass artists, ceramic artists and photographers, fabric and textile artists, woodcarvers and furniture makers, metal workers and jewellers. You will also find a wealth of performance artists in music, dance and theatre and the literary arts.Founded in 2009, the Central Otago District Arts Trust (CODAT) is a regional non-profit organisation based in Central Otago that supports artists and the arts. They are committed to promoting the arts, cultivating emerging and established artists, and developing a diverse, creative community along with an on-line presence.
They believe that the arts are a vital part of our culture, one that unifies and inspires. An important part of their work, therefore, is to make Central Otago Arts as accessible as possible to artists, art-lovers, the general public and visitors to the region.
