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Two of the top prizes at this year’s Great Summer Art Exhibition were won by artists who not only had never exhibited at the annual Snells Beach show before, but whose work had never been submitted for judging anywhere.
Andrea Ventling won the Intermediate section with her painting Synchronicity and Ann Cook won the Emerging Artist category with her White Cat. Meanwhile, the People’s Choice Award went to old hand Shanna Olivier for her hyper-realistic lion painting Warrior, having won the same prize last year, as well the established artist award, for two paintings of tigers.
This year’s established artists’ prize went to Charles Anderson for his painting The Girl & The View, while the photography winner was Debbie Martin for her shot called Then There Were None.
Student art winners were Jacob McFarlane and Charlotte Parry, who painted some very colourful birds.
There were 408 artworks on display from 156 exhibitors for the Mahurangi East Tennis Club fundraiser, a slight increase on last year.
Club president Maureen Bernie said patchy weather didn’t deter visitors, with 1600 people packing into the community centre to view the entries and shop from the 28 cash and carry stalls.
“Even with the impact of the weather and the cost of living pressures, funds raised look likely to be similar to last year – around $16,000,” she said.
Bernie said that while fewer paintings were sold this year, an increase in more affordable cash and carry art sales made up for that, and there was a terrific response from visitors and the arts community.
“There was a real buzz every day as people came in to look at the display and cast their People’s Choice votes,” she said. “There were lots of positive comments for the quality and variety of artworks, and for the continued efforts of the tennis club towards the art community.”
Bernie thanked the judge, artist Bill Harris, their sponsors and all the artists and visitors.
