My Account
Organisers of an annual art competition for Mahurangi school students are encouraged by the growing number of schools participating.
Students from seven schools submitted work to CHArt (Coastal Heritage Art Competition) this year, with Tauhoa School student Bella Wood taking out the supreme award for her piece Olivia the Mighty Mollusc.
An organiser Kelly Grove-Hills says the primary aim of the competition is to provide an opportunity for young artists to display their work and have it appreciated with a focus on their local heritage.
“Ultimately, we would love to see a permanent hub or similar where young artists’ work is displayed, art classes are available and there is a venue for art clubs,” Grove Hills said. “But for now, we are focused on this competition – ensuring its growth and its relevance for the participating schools.”
Work this year addressed the twin themes of Era of the Steamship and Mighty Mollusc. An exhibition of the finalists selected by the schools, and displayed in the Warkworth Town Hall last month, included paintings, collage, ceramic tiles and 3D pieces.
Judges were artists Karena de Pont, Abbey Lyman and Olivia Courtney.
De Pont said deciding the winners had been tough and she congratulated all the participants for the high standard of their work.
“Through the pieces, we learned new things, how to approach art making in different ways and how we can creatively bring focus to some of the tougher areas of conservation,” she said.
Organisers thanked sponsors Forest and Bird, Brick Bay, Toi Toi Media and Warkworth Digital Design and Print for their support.
Results:
Group One (Years 0 – 3) – Maddy Greer (Matakana School) 1, Marlowe Hamilton (Warkworth Primary School) 2, Delaney Hinton (Matakana School) 3. Group Two (Years 4, 5 and 6) – Hunter Murray (Matakana School) 1, Benson Whitehouse (Tauhoa School) 2,Ellie George (Warkworth Primary) 3; Special Mention, Leo Flood (Tauhoa School). Group Three (Years 7 and 8) – Bella Wood (Tauhoa School) 1, Ploy Surampai (Mahurangi College) 2, Christie Price (Tauhoa School) 3. Group Four (Years 9 and 10) – winner, Sarah Barber (Horizon School). Supreme Winner – Bella Wood, of Tauhoa School.
