The Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award for painting and drawing is about to mark two significant milestones.

The award exhibition is relocating to Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre – where it will also be exhibited for an extended period.

First held in 1985, the annual award has been the cornerstone event of the Whakatane Summer Arts Festival coordinated by the Whakatane Community Arts Council (now Arts Whakatane).

“Arts Whakatane is pleased to be working in partnership with the Arts and Culture staff of Whakatane District Council to take the award to a new level,” says Arts Whakatane chairman Scott Jarrett.

“It was a regular complaint that locals who were out of town over Auckland Anniversary weekend missed out on seeing the paintings when they were exhibited at the previous War Memorial Hall venue.  Now they will have the opportunity to view the works, and take part in over 25 associated events at the gallery, right through until the end of March,” Mr Jarrett adds.

The award, which attracts entries from throughout the country, has a prize pool of $15,000.

A special gala festival opening, at which the winners of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award will be announced, is to be held at Te Kōputu at 7.00 pm on Friday 25 January.

“We anticipate strong demand for the 200 places available at the gala opening and urge people to get their tickets early, from The Good Life in Whakatane,” Mr Jarrett concludes.