Exhibition chart-topping success

CHArt (Coastal Heritage Art) had just 15 entries for its inaugural competition, which celebrates young artists, back in 2020 – this year it had nearly 100 artworks on display in the ‘Waka, Weka, Weta’ exhibition at the Warkworth Town Hall.

It literally showed how popular the event has become after an inauspicious start due to covid.

The overall winner this year was Warkworth School student Bonnie Collett whose piece The Weka Whanau with its whimsical depiction of weka hunting for their kai at night impressed the judges.

On the judging panel were artists Karena de Pont and Olivia Courtney, as well as graphic designer Derek Ventling.

CHArt founder Kelly Grovehills says the purpose of the competition is to foster and exhibit the work of young artists in the wider Mahurangi region.

“We also hope to encourage in the young artists an appreciation of the wonderful and unique environment in which they live.

“We’ll continue to hold an annual art competition as long as it is supported by local schools but, in addition, intend to start some new art projects from next year.”

This includes reaching out to local graffiti artists, as well as curating an exhibition to coincide with the Department of Conservation (DoC) initiative Conservation Week.

“We’ve talked to a couple of environmental agencies about working together. We definitely want to expand and be doing quite a range of art projects, not just the competition,” Grovehills says.

The present competition is based on a similar programme run in Scotland by the National Art Galleries of Scotland, “who have been very supportive toward us” and is aimed at Years 1 to 8.

“But we continue to encourage entries from older school goers and to involve as many of the local schools as possible.

“Our primary aim is to encourage our young artists.”

Results:

Group One (Years 0 – 3) 1, Isla Brabant (Matakana School) 2, Alice Hammond (Matakana School) 3, Sakura Furniss (Ahuroa School).
Group Two (Years 4, 5 and 6) Overall winner, Bonnie Collett (Warkworth School) 2, Klass Renkema (Ahuroa School) 3, Finlay Smith (Matakana School).
Group Three (Years 7 and 8) 1, Carter Sheehan (Warkworth School) 2, Charlotte Curran (Ahuroa School) 3, Lila Brown (Matakana School).
Group Four (Years 9 and 10) 1, Alexandra Gibbons (Mahurangi College) 2, Mihajla Markovic (Horizon School) 3, Lina Hay (Mahurangi College).