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 thirteenth 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. All entries are displayed in the exhibition at Sandfords Events Centre, which coincides with the Taranaki Garden Spectacular and Fringe Garden Festival.

The awards are divided into seven categories: Painting, Rural Taranaki, 3D, Works on Paper, Fibre Art, Toi Tu Taranaki and Photography.

This year Helen Telford returns as co-judge and the committee welcomes new judge Greg Donson. Helen Telford is Operations Manager at Govett Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth, bringing with her 30 years of experience in the New Zealand art museum sector. Greg Donson is Curator & Public Programmes Manager at the Sargeant Gallery in Whanganui. Mr Donson was a Clark Collection/Creative New Zealand scholar in 2012, has worked at City Gallery Wellington and has performed his role at the Sargeant Gallery since 2001.

The Awards Ceremony is on Friday 31 October 2014, 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 1 -8 November 2014 at Sandford Events Centre, Opunake. For $20 you can become a Friend of the Taranaki National Art Awards and receive free entry to the awards ceremony, early VIP entry to view and purchase artworks and unlimited free entries to the exhibition. Tickets to the awards ceremony will be available from all branches of South Taranaki LibraryPlus, Real Tart Gallery in New Plymouth and on the door.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the website: www.taranakiartawards.co.nz . Entries close: Friday 19 September 2014 Awards Ceremony: 7.00pm Friday 31 October 2014 Exhibition: 10.00am - 4.00pm 1 - 8 November 2014 - $2 entry Sandfords Event Centre, Tasman Street, Opunake