The Molly Morpeth Canaday (Whakatāne) Fund
Major Award - $10,000 Est. 1984 the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award (MMCA) is presented by Arts Whakatāne and exhibition partner, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre. This annual non-acquisitive award is dedicated to excellence across contemporary and traditional painting and drawing and 3D genres. Developed for nearly 40 years, the MMCA is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest running art award and sits credibly within the New Zealand arts community. A high standard of work is 'blind selected' to form the exhibition from nationwide entries by three pre-selection judges working independently with a Guest Judge making the final decisions . For participants, the award offers professional development opportunities to artists by showcasing their practice to peers, collectors, critics, museum curators, the media and the community at large. William Akel walking through the MMCA 2023 Finalist's Exhibition
Photo Supplied: Arts Whakatāne “I want to see the arts flourish in Whakatāne and be the centre of artistic excellence” - William Akel Craigs Investment Partners
Youth Art Award - $2,500 Jon Murie, Authorised Financial Advisor at Craigs Investment Partners (Craigs) is clear that they are solidly invested in promoting strong communities and supporting the arts within them. The firm was born in Whakatāne in 1984, and Craigs has had a long time relationship with the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award, beginning their patronage over 6 years ago. Initially offering a runner up prize they have since adapted to the changes and growth associated with the MMCA and have put their yearly sponsorship directly to the much sought after Youth Award. “You’ll never get a more appreciative winner” Jon says - and that Craigs had a hand in launching a young emerging artist’s career, all the better - and agrees that to be endorsed by such a high level panel of judges can really make a difference to a fledgling vocation in the arts. Over the past 35+ years Craigs has grown quickly but what remains the same is their commitment to supporting the communities where they operate, from Kerikeri to Invercargill. The work that Craigs does for these communities isn’t shouted from the rooftops, but their consistent client focus and importance of continuing connections and relationship building with the arts as a conduit is an integral part of their kaupapa. Craigs offers a wide range of tailored services for all investors. If you have interest in investing you can contact Jon Murie directly at [email protected] or 07 927 7880. You can also see further details of the services Craigs offers on their website craigsip.com Judges viewing 2020 Arts Whakatāne Highly commended award winner Three Graces - U'ufoasini, Akale'a, Ta'alea by Telly Tuita, Wellington
Photo supplied: Arts Whakatāne "We have built a unique relationship between the MMCA Trust, Arts Whakatāne and the Gallery team which results in a nationally recognised annual exhibition" - Sue Whale (Chair, Arts Whakatāne) Gordon Harris
Merit Award - $500 product Est: 1975 Gordon Harris is a family owned New Zealand art supply business. The Harris family owners and staff of Gordon Harris are extremely proud that their business has not only survived four decades but grown from humble beginnings to become NZ’s largest and best known art supplies specialist.Their product range has grown exponentially over the years and includes many famous international brands from the world of art and design materials. Their selection of graphic design books and art technique books is second to none in New Zealand. gordonharris.co.nz Frames by Daniel
Merit Award - $500 (product) Est. 2013, Frames by Daniel make boards, stretchers, easels and re-usable boxes for freighting art to any specification. They also offer a canvas stretching service and welcome customers to visit their workshop by appointment. Aotearoa New Zealand nationwide service. www.framesbydaniel.co.nz Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Merit Award - $500 At Toi Ohomai you can choose from more than 150 study options. We have courses and qualifications from certificate right through to postgraduate level. We offer small class sizes and an inclusive, supportive environment. Courses are offered right across the wider Bay of Plenty region including Tauranga, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Taupō, Whakatāne and more. Matthew Browne, Browne School of Art
Photo Credit: Browne School of Art Our Place Magazine
Merit Award - $4,500 editorial package Our Place Magazine celebrates the Bay of Plenty and champions its locals. We tell our stories, from inspiring fashion and design, the great outdoors and environmental issues to people doing life-changing work in our city. Plus, we're always across the latest places to eat, drink and shop, and all the best events. The rich mix of content is all connected by the theme of community. Our Place is focused on high-quality, independent content that’s created by a talented team of local contributors. Our Place offers an authentic, inclusive and stimulating view into what makes our place, our city, tick. Directors Chris and Rachelle are extremely passionate about supporting local artists and art initiatives and are so excited to be sponsoring an award within MMCA. ourplacemagazine.co.nz |
MMCA Trustee Gaye Murphy at the MMCA 2023 Finalist's Exhibition
Photo Supplied: Arts Whakatāne The Akel Award
Runner Up - $4,000 Auckland based barrister William Akel talks with me about his strong ties to Whakatāne and his connection to the arts and whenua. Talking with William (Willy) Akel has confirmed that once a Whakatāne local, always a Whakatāne local - his love for his hometown is palpable, as is his dedication and support for the arts. As we both enthusiastically raved about the bend in the road just at Otamarakau where the spectacular East Coast is revealed, William made the comment that he regards Whakatāne as his spiritual home. Not only was he born and bred there, but continues to engage with the community, not least by sponsoring a major prize for the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. William’s aspirations for Whakatāne extend beyond the iconic tourism and fishing destination, and shares our vision of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award being promoted nationally as the pre-eminent provincial art award. Realising that raising the bar and attracting quality entries to the MMCA requires continuing multi-level support, he knows that art can also be a challenge... “which is the point...”, and why bringing more diverse groups and schools through the exhibition is crucial. Gaining insights into an artist’s practice and developing an inherent intuition as to what the artist is saying is how William describes the importance of the gallery’s role in the award, and commends the talks and public programmes the team at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre develop...and when asked about the importance of keeping the MMCA local and based in Whakatāne, his response is undeniable - his wish to grow the award is paramount, and kept in the region it was originated in. Of course being established artist Robyn Hughes’s partner, and uncle to award winning artist Anoushka Akel must help his resolve to champion the arts and bringing the highest quality arts possible to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region is key. Craigs Authorised Financial Adviser Jon Murie congratulates 2021 Painting and Drawing Youth Award winner Wesley John Fourie.
Photo Supplied: Arts Whakatāne "Craigs are solidly invested in promoting strong communities and supporting the arts within them" - Jon Murie (Craigs Investment Partners) Arts Whakatāne
Arts Whakatāne chair, Sue Whale answers some questions about the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. LF: Can you please provide a brief background of Arts Whakatāne's involvement with the MMCA? SW: The award for Painting and Drawing was founded in 1985 (by Lyn Dawson and Jacqui Hughes). At the time that the Whakatāne District Community Arts Council (hereafter Arts Whakatāne) was formed, the initial sponsor was Shell and it was named The Shell Art Award. Tasman then provided the major sponsorship for the Painting and Drawing Award for one year in 1990. In 1991 the Trustees of the Molly Morpeth Canaday (Whakatāne) Fund took over the major sponsorship in support of the aims and objectives of Frank Harrison Canaday’s memorial to his wife, artist Molly Morpeth Canaday. The Award was subsequently renamed the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award (MMCA). The Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust in association with Whakatāne Society of Arts and Craft Inc. initiated the first 3D award in 1997, presented by Museum and Arts in the old Boon St location. In 2013 the Painting and Drawing exhibition was relocated from the Whakatāne Memorial Complex, Short St., Whakatāne, to the newly built Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre. In 2016 the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award branding was progressed, then in 2018 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award was extended to include both exhibitions of Painting and Drawing and 3D Art Form separately in alternating years. LF: What kind of value do you place on the sponsorship and support of the arts in Aotearoa? SW: Sponsorship by businesses, organisations and individuals is essential for the arts to flourish in Aotearoa. The only government support for the arts is through Creative New Zealand. However their funds are limited and need to be supplemented by private sponsors. LF: What are the most important aspects of the sponsorship of MMCA to you? SW: Since Arts Whakatane is the organisation which manages the MMCA, we also like to support it in this more direct way. Relationship building with the arts community is an important aspect of this. LF: What has been an unexpected but satisfying result of sponsoring the MMCA? SW: To help an emerging or more established artist to gain wider recognition. LF: How important is it that the MMCA remains based in Whakatāne and supported by the local community? SW: Very important. We have built a unique relationship between the MMCA Trust, Arts Whakatāne and the Gallery team which results in a nationally recognised annual exhibition. It puts the small town of Whakatāne on the map and draws visitors to the gallery and the town. National publications report on the award show and help to consolidate the importance of the award. artswhakatane.co.nz 4Artsake Boutique
Merit Award - $500 4Artsake Boutique is a curated collection of unique homewares, fashion accessories and jewellery laid in between various artworks on display from both local and international talent. The gallery has a wide selection of fine art, contemporary and mixed media artwork. The art feature wall is constantly evolving with new artists being added to the gallery each month. 4Artsake are constantly evolving with trends and searching for fresh new artists and brands. 4artsake.co.nz Custom made art freighting boxes made by Frames by Daniel
Photo supplied: Frames by Daniel Browne School of Art
Merit Award - $500 Browne School of Art is an independent art school located in Grey Lynn, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Founded by painter and tutor Matthew Browne in 2013, the school offers a selection of part-time day, evening and short art courses for teenagers and adults wishing to develop their experience of drawing, painting and printmaking. Practical skills are taught and creative thinking is nurtured and encouraged within a structured framework that emphasises each individual's artistic development, without imposing any specific stylistic interpretation. Our courses provide a platform for those who wish to develop their passion into a career, to become exhibiting artists, or to prepare a submission portfolio for entrance into a full-time tertiary art institution. The emphasis is on providing quality, accessible, professionally delivered art courses and on providing plenty of constructive personal feedback and encouragement. www.browne.school.nz Chris and Rachelle Duffy, Directors Our Place Magazine.
Photo credit : Focus Magazine |