Welcome to our annual Emerging Artist Awards. To the artists who are quietly working away in their spare time. Those who are making when no one is looking. This is a callout to all who cannot ignore their creative aspirations.

This year’s theme is “Community is… what we create together”

The shift away from the lonely artist stereotype is not just a trend but a conscious effort by artists worldwide to foster a more supportive environment. It’s a recognition that creativity thrives in the community and that mental wellbeing is nurtured through mutual support.

The Finalists Are:

Aasta L. Otnes | Ainslie Hinvest | Alexandra Kiely Murphy | Alexis Galley | Anita Ferrick | Anna Coulbeck | Anna McLeod | Bryn Corkery | Chloe Blades | Claire Preen | Cobi Woods | Delphine Pujol | Emma Beth | Esme Jack | Geoffrey Dawson | Holly Clarke | Karen Wilde | Laurette Looker | Lily Lei | Matt Miller | Max Mclaurin | Michael Hsieh | Monique Ziegler | Naomi Azoulay | Natalee Raymond | Natalie Holland | Raewyn Booth | Shangshang Wang | Shanti Gore | Tina Srilasak | Victoria Toms & James Coldham | Vince Ysrael

Congratulations to all the finalists!

This year’s prizes:

o   Robertson Award - $150 - Shangshang Wang (Cookie) - ‘Together Forever’

o   Cherry Award - $150 - Shanti Gore - ‘Jam Night At Breton Street’

o   Cherry Special Mention – $150 Te Uru voucher - Cobi Jackson-Woods - ‘Community Hub’

o   Steve Tollestrup Award - $200 - Anita Ferrick - ‘In Between’

o   Rogue Graphics Award - $200 - Bryn Corkery - ‘Progress Victim’

o   Jeff Wells Award - $200 - Vince Ysrael - ‘Untitled, Auckland, New Zealand’

o   Crafty Baker Award – $150 Crafty Baker + $100 Fairy Flowers voucher - Esme Jack - ‘Robert’

o   Adison Award - $300 - Alexandra Kiely Murphy - ‘Dead Flora’

o   Managers Special Mention - $150ea - Tina Srilasak ‘Table Talks’  & Chloe Blades ‘What I Imagine My Table Looks Like When I Want to Be Sociable’

o   Managers Encouragement Award - $350 - Emma Beth - ‘What Is It? I Don’t Know’

o   Third Place – Sam Tamahara Award - $500 - Michael Hsieh - ‘Panopticon’

o   Second Place – Nova Logistics Award - $1,000 - Laurette Looker - ‘A Visit From Chole’

o   First Place - Ember Korowai Takitini Award - $2,000 - Aasta L. Otnes - ‘The Wheel Of Dissipation’

o   People’s Choice Award - Gordon Harris Voucher - $150 - Michael Hsieh - ‘Panopticon’

Big Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Waitakere Ranges Local Board | Lopdell Trust | Ember Korowai Takitini | Nova Logistics | Clayton Imbs | Gordon Harris | Crafty Baker | Rogue Graphics | David Whitley | Jeff Wells | Steve Tollestrup | Sue Robertson | Mags Ross 

On Show 28 September – 20 October. 10am to 4pm daily.

Event photos by Sophia Clark.