NO-BOUNDARIES ART COMPETITION WILL UNLEASH CREATIVE TALENT IN WELLINGTON

Powerful paintings and dazzling drawings are being sought from Wellington’s creative talent. With serious prizes and complete creative freedom on offer, the 2014 Unleash Art Competition is the perfect outlet for artists wanting to showcase their work to thousands.

North City Shopping Centre has introduced a talent search of a different kind after 13 successful years running an annual music-focused talent search. Now it has opened the Unleash Art Competition to locals who are proficient with a paintbrush, pencil or other artistic application. Entries are now being accepted from people of all ages who wish to submit a piece of artwork that they believe would have great impact in-centre.  

Artists are allowed to use any medium in any style suitable for recreating on a wall in large format at North City Shopping Centre. The competition aims to showcase and celebrate the artistic talent in the Porirua and wider Wellington region, which will enliven the public spaces around the centre.

The top 10 finalists will be selected by a team of judges including Wellington street artists BMD and City Gallery Wellington exhibitions manager Gerda Nana, all of whom have devoted their lives to the creation and celebration of art. The winner will receive $2,500 and have their artwork recreated in a dedicated section of the centre, and second place wins $1,000.  

BMD, a two-piece creative group known for producing some of the largest pieces of public art in New Zealand, are proud to be on the judging panel. “Having been on the other end of the judgement stick for most of our careers, we think this is an amazing opportunity for artists to get involved with their cityscape, and we’ll be looking for the most creative and ambitious pieces,” say the dynamic duo.

Co-judge, Gerda Nana is looking for captivating and powerful artwork when he judges the competition, and expects the competition to grow exponentially with its no-boundaries approach. “I am very excited to be able to judge this competition. It’s going to be a tough job judging, with artists using so many different mediums and with people from all walks of life entering. Having entered art competitions myself, it will be nice to be involved in the judging process, along with the other judges for this competition. It will be a very inspiring experience.”

The centre will also offer a People’s Choice award, with the winner to receive $500. Entries from the top 10 finalists will be displayed in the shopping centre between 27 September and 12 October, and members of the public will be invited to view the artwork and visit the North City Shopping Centre Facebook page and website to vote for their favourite piece.

North City Shopping Centre marketing manager Caroline Shearman-York is looking forward to playing host to the artwork and seeing local talent emerge.

“I love Wellington. There is no other place that engrains creativity into its people quite like our city does. The Unleash Art Competition will showcase and celebrate the artistic talent that these people have to offer and there are no boundaries, so I am looking forward to seeing the pieces that come out of this competition!”

The art displayed on the walls of North City Shopping Centre, will be a significant draw card for visitors and will help to reinterpret the more mundane elements of the environment.

Applications are being accepted now and close on Friday 5 September. Further information on how to enter the awards can be found at www.northcityshoppingcentre.co.nz/unleash

The entry categories and prizes are:
First Place: $2,500 cash prize, and artwork placement in North City Shopping Centre
Second Place: $1,000 cash prize
People’s Choice: $500 cash prize