Judges announced for Yellow Pages Group Art Awards

MEDIA RELEASE

19 September 2008

Judges announced for Yellow Pages Group Art Awards

Three prominent New Zealand art identities have been announced as this year’s Yellow Pages Group Art Awards judges. They are Mark Olsen, a winner in last year’s competition, John Daly-Peoples, an art consultant and critic, and Hamish Coney, managing director of Art + Object.

Entries for the 2009 Art Awards in the Auckland, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty regions close on 30 September.

Olsen and Daly-Peoples said for this year’s competition they would like to see an increase in entries from both up and coming artists and established artists.

“This competition is for every New Zealander to enter but I know there are so many artists out there who could benefit from entering these awards. They’ll often steer away because they thought the competition wasn’t aimed at them,” Olsen said.

Daly-Peoples said he would like to see the White Pages® phone book become an exhibition and celebration of the best examples of New Zealand art.

Olsen said winning last year’s awards meant he went on to sell four pieces of art as a direct result.

“It does give you huge profile if you win, but even if you don’t win you still have your art sold at auction with proceeds going directly to community projects.

“It makes you feel good because you’re doing your bit by giving something back to your local community, and you’re getting recognition that you otherwise wouldn’t,” he said.

The judges will select three finalists from 18 regions around New Zealand and the public then get to vote online to decide whose artwork makes the White pages® cover in each region.

There are cash prizes for the top three selected finalists in each region, in addition to a $10,000 cash prize for the overall national winner.

Yellow Pages Group Chief Executive Officer Dudley Enoka said the Yellow and White books represented nearly all New Zealanders and the regions they live in.

“Our books are found in nearly every business and household in New Zealand and the Yellow Pages Group Art Awards ensures that the books reflect the regions they are part of,” said Mr Enoka.

Regions:

Regions Entries open Entries close
Auckland, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Manawatu, Bay of Plenty July 1 2008 September 30 2008
Southland, Christchurch, Taranaki, Nelson & Bays, Northland, West Coast & Buller October 31 2008 February 20 2009
Waikato, Timaru & Oamaru, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wanganui, Otago January 30 2009 May 22 2009

Key facts about the Yellow Pages Group Art Awards:
• The Yellow Pages Group Art Awards have been held annually since 1990 (previously the White pages Art Awards)
• Many well known New Zealand artists have entered the Yellow Pages Group Art Awards and had artworks featured on the front of the White pages.
• Each year up to 1,000 entries are received from emerging and established artists
• 324 original artworks have been published on the front covers of White pages since the competition started
• Competition details and entry forms can be found at www.ypgartawards.co.nz or by calling 0800 104 509

ENDS

For more information please visit www.yellowpagesgroup.co.nz

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