The Friends of Pātaka Art Awards gets bigger and better every year, with this year’s exhibition showing a record 94 works, 34 from first timers. It features a wide range of works from Porirua artists – amateur and professional, old hands and new, many having their work shown in an art gallery for the first time.
The award winners were announced at the exhibition opening on 25 July, which celebrated the artists and their whanau and friends, sponsors and judges.
Emma Hercus won the Open Award with Listening to the Sea – she had won the Creativity and Promise Scholarship in 2019, and now takes the main prize, which includes the use of the facilities at Pātaka as the Artist in Residence for a month.
Other winners were: Fran Zukowski who won the Highly Commended Award with Green Haze; Rhona Orr who won the First Time Entry Award for Leafless in Papakōwhai 3; and Bert van Dijk (also a first-time entrant) who won the Creativity and Promise Scholarship of a six-month Level 4 Certificate at The Learning Connexion for Pivotal Moment.
The judges commented on the calibre, diversity and skill of the art works this year, across a wide range of media. Ana Sciascia, Director of Pātaka and Mayor Anita Baker elevated the evening with warm words and support for the Friends, the Awards and the artists. As always, it was heartwarming and encouraging to see families supporting the artist in their family.
This is the tenth art awards Friends of Pātaka have run, for artists living, working and/or studying in the Porirua area. Many Art Awards past winners have gained the confidence to further their art.
The exhibition ran until 15 September at Pātaka Art+Museum’s Bottle Creek Gallery. The final prize, the Viewers’ Choice Award of $500, was decided by the almost 500 exhibition-goers who cast a vote, and was awarded at the end of the exhibition to Sarb Kaur.
2024 ART AWARDS GALLERY | WINNERS: Emma Hercus | Fran Zukowski | Rhona Orr | Bert van Dijk
ART AWARDS GALLERIES: 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2022 • 2024