Opunake’s Taranaki National Art Awards is a highlight of our regions creative calendar this spring and now is the time to get your entries in. In its eleventh year, the annual awards are a national competition offering an opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their artwork, with the added bonus of a $12,000 prize pool.

The awards are divided into seven categories: Painting, Rural Taranaki, 3D, Works on Paper, Fibre Art, Toi Tu Taranaki and Photography. As well as the main category prizes, generous sponsorship and support also offers a $500 highly commended prize for each category.

This year the committee is thrilled to have Ruth Harvey return as judge and welcomes new judge Professor Robert Jahnke. Ruth Harvey gained an MA in Art History and Theory at Otago University and has worked at the Centre of Contemporary Photography in Melbourne, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and as a freelance researcher for Christchurch Art Gallery. Ms Harvey is currently Curator of Pictorial Collections at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth. Professor Robert Jahnke is a leading M?ori academic and contemporary M?ori artist. His work is both exhibited and published widely and he has completed many major public commissions. Professor Jahnke is the head of Te P?tahi-?-Toi, Massey University's School of M?ori Studies and has been the co-ordinator of the M?ori visual arts programme at the Manawatu campus since 1991.

The Awards Ceremony is on Friday 26 October 2012, offering a great night of diverse NZ artwork, entertainment, wine and food. It is also an opportunity to meet many of the artists - be sure to mark this date in your diaries. All entrants receive free entry and tickets cost $15. The Taranaki National Art Awards Exhibition will be on display 10am-4pm daily, from 27 October – 3 November 2012 at Sandford Events Centre, Opunake. Entry is $2.

This year the committee are introducing the Friends of the Taranaki National Art Awards. For a $20 joining fee, Friends receive free entry to the Awards Ceremony, special 6pm VIP entry to view and purchase artworks and unlimited free entries the Exhibition. Entries must be in no later than 14 September 2012.

To download entry forms and for further information, visit the website: www.taranakiartawards.co.nz or call Ann on 06 761 8757. Entry forms and tickets to the Awards Ceremony are also available from Real Tart Gallery in New Plymouth and all branches of South Taranaki LibraryPlus.