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Colossal Response To Clorox Creative Challenge

Published: Wed 17 Oct 2001 09:32 AM
Colossal Response To Clorox Creative Challenge
There has been a colossal uptake from schools around the country to the Clorox Creative Challenge, the nationwide art competition using recycled and new Clorox products. Clorox New Zealand today announced that 673 classes from 153 schools have so far entered the Challenge in the past four weeks.
The company has also announced the involvement of Dick Frizzell, one of New Zealand’s finest contemporary artists, and Peter Biggs, the chair of Creative New Zealand, as judges on the panel for the Challenge.
The Clorox Creative Challenge has been formed by Clorox NZ, manufacturer of Glad and other household products. Based around the theme It’s better living in New Zealand, the art Challenge is open to all New Zealand primary and intermediate schools. There are three weeks remaining for kids to unleash themselves and whip up a creative storm.
Bill Richmond, general manager of Clorox NZ says:
“We thought the Challenge would be big but we never thought it would be this colossal! The enthusiasm of teachers, pupils and parents across the country has been absolutely huge and there is a fantastic buzz around the whole event.
“We are also incredibly honoured to have Dick Frizzell and Peter Biggs join as judges for the event. This is a fantastic coup for the Challenge as a whole and, between the kids and the judges coming on board we are completely overwhelmed by the response. It truly is both exciting and refreshing to see.”
With over a thousand school children, teachers and parents now behind the Challenge, the programme’s objective to motivate communities to express their delight in living in this land is well underway.
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There are three major prize categories—junior primary (school years 1-3), middle primary (school years 4-6) and intermediate (school years 7-8).
Each category winner receives a $5,000 ‘creativity grant’ for their school, a $1,500 ‘education grant’ for the art teacher and a $500 ‘education voucher’ for the individual or group winner. This will see Clorox putting more than $40,000 directly back into the community.
Bill Richmond continues: ”We are actively encouraging students to think about recycling and for that reason there is a specific ‘best use of recycled products’ prize category. This is one of seven special prize categories for winners who will receive a $3,000 ‘creativity grant’ for their school and a $250 ‘education voucher’ for themselves.”
The Challenge will run until 2 November 2001, schools must have their entries in by 2 November 2001. The actual judging process will take place right up to 14 November 2001 and an awards ceremony with Dick Frizzell and Peter Biggs will be held on 30 November 2001.
Bill Richmond concludes: “We’ve kept the entry guidelines simple so as not to constrain the creative process. At least one recycled or new Clorox product, including actual packaging—from either the Glad®, XLO®, Chux® or Mono® range—needs to be included. Also, artwork must be original and created by students. The maximum size for each creation must not exceed 1m³ and/or weigh no more than 5 kg.
“We are looking forward to the creative results of the Challenge. With such a huge interest in the event already we have absolutely no doubt that the passion for this wonderful country will leap out from every single entry we receive!”
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Notes to Editors:
About Clorox New Zealand Limited
The Clorox Company makes products that help people the whole world over cook and clean. Clorox sells its products in more than 110 countries, manufactures in 14 countries, including New Zealand, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide.
Originating in 1913 in California, today Clorox has become a household name through its hero products – Glad, Chux, Mono, XLO and Clorox  (USA Bleach).
The company’s New Zealand operations are based in Mt Wellington, Auckland. Employing over 100 full and part-time staff, Clorox NZ manufactures and distributes consumer and food service products for both local and export markets.
For Further Information: Check out the special website www.artatclorox.co.nz
Or contact:
Elaine McNee WRC Suzette Muir WRC
Tel: 09 306 1804. Tel: 09 306 1804
elainem@wrc.co.nz suzettem@wrc.co.nz
Peter Biggs is Chair at Creative New Zealand – Arts Council of New Zealand (Toi Aotearoa). Appointed in July 1999 by the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Peter has now entered his third term in the Council.
Creative New Zealand’s role is to promote the arts of this country, support our artists and encourage more New Zealanders to enjoy the arts. Creative NZ does this by funding a wide range of projects by artists and art organisations, advocating for the arts and undertaking initiatives, strategies and research projects.
In short, Creative New Zealand’s mission is:
“To encourage, promote and support the arts in New Zealand
for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”
This mission is based on the vision that ‘Artistic excellence affirms the mana of the people’ – ‘Art MattersMahi Toi, Taonga Hira’.
Peter Biggs has more that 15 years experience in public relations and advertising. He was won numerous public speaking awards and as a result is in demand as a speaker for a great number of events on a vast array of topics!
With a first class honours degree in English and classical studies, he describes himself as a huge consumer of the arts.
Peter Biggs on his role as judge for the Clorox Creative Challenge says:
“The future of our country relies on unlocking, nurturing and celebrating the creativity of all of our people, particularly our young people. That's why
I am hugely excited about being part of the Clorox Creative Challenge.”
Dick Frizzell has a DIP FA from Ilam School of Fine Art, University of Canterbury. Dick is a well-known contemporary artist who has touched many New Zealanders with his art.
With his ‘Bite it and Believe it’ philosophy he has portrayed a huge range of subject matter and styles in his career. He has been exhibiting since the late 1970’s with works in major public and corporate collections throughout New Zealand.
Two of Frizzell’s most famous major commissions are his works for the Sky City Casino in Auckland and the painting of an Ansett New Zealand aeroplane for Starship Children’s Hospital.
Through his use of popular imagery from comics and advertisements in his art, Dick Frizzell’s appeal is huge and his humour renowned. Through his play on popular Kiwi icons and his paintings of local landscapes he is a true advocate of New Zealand. His twists and turns in all his paintings make New Zealanders view their country in a million different ways and for this very reason he has become an icon himself.
Dick Frizzell on his role as judge for the Clorox Creative Challenge says:
“I think it’s important for everyone, and especially kids, to realise that we all have creative talent and the Challenge is aimed at doing just that.
“Encouraging children to think about their country and express what they truly love about it in their own unique way helps them to be aware of the wonderful things in New Zealand and how they can play a their part in keeping it that way.”
CLOROX CREATIVE CHALLENGE AT A GLANCE
As the Challenge develops you will be updated with regular news, views, photo opportunities and general information. The following are the remaining timelines involved in the Clorox Creative Challenge to help you monitor when these updates will arrive:
Timetable:
Art Challenge 8 October to 2 November 2001
Judging 2 November to 14 November 2001
Award Ceremony 30 November 2001
Please Note:
Over this time period, if you would like to undertake any major activity around this Challenge, please call the contacts (below) at WRC who will help you co-ordinate.
If you want to follow up on localised stories with the schools in your area, please feel free to contact the participating schools near you. If you require any help with co-coordinating this event please contact WRC.
Contacts:
Elaine McNee Suzette Muir
WRC WRC
Tel: 09 306 1804 Tel: 09 306 1804
Email: elainem@wrc.co.nz Email: suzettem@wrc.co.nz
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