Royal Easter Show Art Awards Winners

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 20 March 2008

Royal Easter Show Art Awards Winners

The winners of New Zealand’s largest art competition, the 2008 Royal Easter Show Art Awards, were announced at a special presentation last night.

Open to artists of all ages, amateur and professional, the awards included painting, photography, ceramics/pottery, glass and woodcraft sections with just under 2,000 entries received and thousands of dollars in prizes to be won.

"This years entries show a diverse range of artistic skills, with each category winner showing a high level of skill in their field,” said judge Wendy Leach. “No doubt the public should find much to enjoy in this excellent exhibition which is one of Auckland's best kept secrets.”

The judges were particularly impressed by Ingrid Boot who won best overalll painting with her entry Stolen Moments, a black and white acrylic.

All winning entries are on display for the duration of the Royal Easter Show on from 20-24 March at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland, with many works also for sale.

With tens of thousands of visitors expected over Easter Weekend, the Royal Easter Show Art Awards has the largest viewing audience of any art show in the country.

Presented with their awards by Mayor of Auckland Mr John Banks, the major award winners were as follows:

- Best overall painting in show K G Fraser Art Award, Stolen Moments by Ingrid Boot, from Orewa, Auckland.
- Best watercolour painting in Raye Hannam Memorial Trophy, Staunch by Elspeth Alix Batt from Glenfield, Auckland.
- Royal Agricultural Society Medal for most successful artist in show, Clare Dargaville from Hillcrest, Auckland.
- Winner of this year’s Royal Easter Show theme, 'Natures Harmony', Nature’s Symphony by Gail Boyle from Browns Bay, Auckland.
- Best overall photograph, no title, by Robin Short from Waiuku
- Best overall wood turner, no title, by Terry Scott of Papakura
- Best Overall Glass Exhibit, no title, by Ainsley O'Connell from Mt Eden, Auckland.
- Best in Morris and James ceramic category, Thera Helmich from New Lynn, Auckland.

ends

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