Following weeks of preparation, staff at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Library and Galleries are today putting the finishing touches on one the country’s longest standing art accolades ahead of opening weekend.
Now in its 38th year, the prestigious Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2024, run by Arts Whakatāne, encourages and celebrates the development of fine art on a national level and supports both emerging and established artists from across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The event will officially open on Saturday evening with an award ceremony featuring a prize pool of $25,000 donated from a variety of sponsors. The following day, the exhibition opens to the public where a stunning selection of sixty-two finalists work will be on display at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi.
Curator Exhibitions Aimee Ratana says the team at Te Kōputu are thrilled to host the must-see exhibition which showcases an exciting selection of the contemporary art from across the motu.
“A total of 495 award entries were received this year which indicates how significant this event is,” says Aimee. “Three art practitioners initially reviewed all entries and had the gruelling task of whittling this list down to sixty-two works which have been selected to feature in the 2024 exhibition.”
Aimee continues, “The exhibition is a snapshot of the impressive and diverse array of entries received and really does show the incredible talent thriving amongst the New Zealand arts community.
“The work Arts Whakatāne puts in to this event is phenomenal and we’re really pleased to support this event once again.”
The finalists have undergone further evaluation by Guest Judge Andrew Clifford (Director, Sargeant Gallery Whanganui), with the winning outcomes shrouded in secrecy until the awards ceremony on Saturday.
The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2024 exhibition opens this Sunday, 18 February. The public is encouraged to vote for The People's Choice Award during the exhibition viewing, with the winner unveiled towards the conclusion of the exhibition on Saturday, April 6.
