King Country Art Awards

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 26, 25 November 1986, Page 5

King Country Art Awards

Details of the Central King Country Arts Trust Award were revealed at a function held at the Taumarunui Golf Club a fortnight ago. $14,000 will be awarded for artists working in a number of mediums, with the aim being to promote the visual arts and to encourage artists to feature the Central King Country in their work. A major new arts award was launched at a function in Taumarunui a fortnight ago. Guests gathered at the Taumarunui Golf Club to hear the Central King Country Visual Arts Trust announce details of the new national award catering for painting, graphics and photography. The awards, established to promote the visual arts and to encourage artists to feature the central King Country in their work total $14,000. Media categories Awards of $1,000 will be granted to the most favoured work in each category within the subject divisions. In addition to these nine divisional awards, there will be a further award of $5,000 for a painting of any style and in any medium. The three subject divisions for each category are: The landscape of the central King Country; The towns and townships within the area; The parts (i.e. Tongariro National Park and Pureora Forest Park) and/ or rivers within the area. The judges will apply the same criteria in judging each award, 'that which best captures any aspect of life, atmosphere and environment in the central King Country'. Well known New Zealand painter, Peter Mclntyre, is patron of the trust. Peter has a true affinity with the King Country and especially with the Kakahi area, since he built a fishing cottage there in the early 1960's. Inspiration for painters His appreciation of the beauty of the area is evident in his paintings of the rivers and surrounding land and of the village and people of Kakahi. Peter was represented at the launch by his son Simon, who passed on best wishes from his father. "The King Country has provided the inspiration for so many of my father's paintings and will provide the inspiration for many more from other artists," he said. Simon detailed the awards for the three media divisions and announced an addi-

tional $5,000 award for a painting only. "The award 'season' opens today and closes on 30 October 1987," he said. Trustees appointed Advisory trustees have been appointed to assist the Trust in the organisation and management of the Visual Arts Awards. They are Arthur Bates, Les Byars MBE, Archbishop Brian Davis, Lady Barbara Fowler, Michael Hay, Shona McFarlane and Peter Mclntyre. Mr Bates told guests at the launching that the central King Country needed the award to focus attention on "this magnificent area".. "Taumarunui is the natural centre of this area, so is the ideal place to initiate the arts award." "It is important to get a body of work together and with the astute and enthusiastic people involved it cannot help but be a success." Mr Tom Wells, chairman of the Visual Arts Trust, said the Trust wasformed in September 1986 after months of discussion and preparation. "The focus of discussion was the image and cultural isolation of a region as central as the King Country to the road and rail systems of the country," he said. "A sense of isolation does not of itself convert into a Trust. It is unlikely that the necessary steps would have been taken without the encouragement and support of Peter Mclntyre, now an advisory trustee and patron of the Trust. The response of those invited to be advisory trustees has been most heartening and the firm support of the local Promotion and Development Association is also gratefully acknowledged." The Trust has a programme that stretches far out into the future. The Central King Country Visual

Arts Award announced on the 6th November will continue on a triennial basis for painting and graphics. The T rust plans to detach photography after the first vcar and to run a separate photography triennial from November 1989. Another innovation will be the introduction of a triennial video award which will have its first festival in November 1988. Significant development But the most significant development is the decision to announce in May 1987 the details of a primary and secondary schools award preparatory to its first exhibition in Taumarunui in May of 1988 and it will be held annually thereafter. The trust is confident that the award will provide a welcome stimulus and encouragement at different levels of schooling and it could well prove to be the Trust's most important work. Mr Wells explained the origin of the delicious 'tambiskers' served to guests at the launch. 'Tambiskers' 'Tambiskers' are a "cocktail" version of the 'Tamburger'that was launched at Parliament House last year. The 'Tamburger', filled with venison or trout, was created after M.P. Mike Moore referred to the "cold pie and tea" at Taumarunui Railway Station. Several locals travelled to Wellington to 'educate' Mr Moore on the delights available in the King Country. 'Tambiskers' topped with venison, smoked trout and wild duck, courtesy of local hunters, were well received by guests. Other members of the Trust are Peter Casey (deputy chairman), Michael Turner (secretary), Keith Chapple, Ron Cooke, Pat

Dooley, Rod Murray, Marea Page and Margaret Scott. Conditions of entry Any person may submit work in any or all of the three categories of the award, but not more than five works may be submitted in total. Not more than two works may be submitted in any media category in any subject division. Entries received will be displayed and judged at an Arts Festival to be held in Taumarunui between November 20 and November 29, 1987. The closing date entry forms may be submitted is October 16. Conditions of entry and entry forms are available from the Secretary, CKC Visual Arts Award, P. O. Box 97, Taumarunui.