18 June 2009

Winners announced:
Inaugural Papakura Youth Art Competition

Torrential rain did not stop friends and family turning out to the Inaugural Papakura Youth Visual Art Competition Awards Night.

Over 120 people attending the evening at Papakura Art gallery at which the artworks were celebrated and merit award and overall winners announced.

“It was so wonderful to see the support of friends and family to the youth artist exhibiting” says Emma Millynn Gallery Manager.

The exhibition has given local youth artist to have their work exhibited in a gallery. All entries were able to be exhibited which is a great achievement for the first year of the show.

“I was very impressed by the level of work exhibited, it has blown me away. We have some truly talented and creative young people in this District”

Overall winner was Chloe Shepherd with her painting Kia Kaha te tangi a Hine.

Judge Deborah Crowe said her composition “has many, many layers, yet some of the strengths of the work lie in its empty spaces which contribute to the work’s simplicity and demonstration of vulnerability.”

More 400 people attended the exhibition, taking the Art Gallery past its full-year attendance target. Emma Millyn says the exhibition has attracted some “amazing” feedback.

“We have even had a musician come in and write a song about the Hayley McGehan piece Hidden messages: defining art.”

The awards night also included a special presentation to local resident Sonny Afiaki who won the Raukura Hauora O Tainui drawing competition.

ENDS

List of all winners

Overall Winner
Chloe Shepherd

Merit Awards
Stephen Fairbrother
Martin Graham
Jodie Goodall
Hayley McGehan
Catherine Hodges

Raukura Hauora O Tainui Outstanding Achievement
Yvonne Harris
Junia Hita

Raukura Hauora O Tainui Merit Award
Varney Pakuivi
Leanne Hadfield

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