Entries are now open for the Fieldays No. 8 Wire Award, with nearly $10,000 in prize money on offer.

The annual award, hosted by Waikato Museum, challenges artists to create artworks made predominantly from agricultural products including a minimum 50 per cent No. 8 wire.

This year is a milestone for the award, having been established by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society Inc in 1997.

“The 20th year of this event embodies the innovation and pride we Kiwis have in our rural heritage and character,” says Fieldays Society CEO Peter Nation. “We had a record number of entries in 2016, which shows just how interested Kiwis are in creating cool, agriculture-inspired pieces of art. The No. 8 Wire Award allows D.I.Y tinkerers to show off their skills and artistic abilities on a national stage.”

The award culminates in a month-long exhibition at Hamilton’s ArtsPost, and selected finalists will be invited to have their work displayed at Fieldays.

“Fieldays is proud to present these brilliant artworks, and will be bringing them to life at our event in 2017,” says Mr Nation.

This year’s judge is renowned art academic and writer Dr Robin Woodward. Dr Woodward is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Art at the University of Auckland, where she specialises in the history of sculpture and public art.

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham says Dr Woodward’s knowledge and interests are perfectly suited to assess the No. 8 Wire Award entries.

“We are privileged to have Robin on board to select the finalists and eventual winners of this year’s award,” she says. “Fieldays is a special event for our region and Waikato Museum is proud to be associated with it through the No. 8 Wire Award.”

2017 competition details

First prize: $7,000

Second prize: $1,000

Third prize: $500

President’s choice: $100 ArtsPost voucher

People’s choice: $100

Entries close: Tuesday 7 March 2017

Finalists notified: Monday 20 March 2017

Winners announced/Award ceremony: Thursday 20 April 2017

Exhibition: Friday 21 April to Monday 22 May 2017

Venue: ArtsPost Galleries and Shop, 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton.

To read the competition criteria and access the entry form, go to waikatomuseum.co.nz/no8wire

Image: 2016 Fieldays No. 8 Wire Award winner, Stone Age Eight Gauge, Ben Pearce.