Inspiration for new artists to make their mark

Media Release

5 February 2009 

Inspiration for new artists to make their mark

A $5000 inspiration is being offered to new and emerging artists to make their mark by creating a signature piece for the New Zealand Affordable Art Show this year.

“The Signature Piece Art Award is a marvellous opportunity for artists just starting their careers to shine and be rewarded,” New Zealand Affordable Art Trust executive director Carla Russell said.

“A team of judges will select 10 finalists who will all achieve considerable profile from the public exposure of their work. The winner will receive $5000 to further his or her career.”

The 10 signature pieces will be displayed on a special panel at the show which will be held at the TSB Arena in Wellington and runs from July 31 to August 2 with a gala evening on July 30.

Artists who register between now and close of registration on May 1, can nominate one of their artworks to be judged for the award.

The Signature Piece Art Award is one of the ways in which the trust is returning profits from the shows to the artists. Last year the trust launched the New Zealand Affordable Art Trust Scholarship to recognise exceptional talent.

This will be the sixth year the show has been held. It first opened in 2004 after a group of art-loving Wellingtonians created an opportunity for artists from all round the country – new, emerging and established – to showcase and sell their work. Each year about 800 artists are selected to exhibit their works and about 9000 visitors attend.

The show has introduced affordable art priced between $100 and $5000 to ordinary New Zealanders with the result that sales over the past five years have returned $3 million to the artists.

Artist registration has opened for the 2009 show on the www.affordableart.co.nz website. Forms are also available from the trust’s Beach House Gallery on Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington.

ENDS

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