Mana Zonta awarded won by Whitireia Arts and Design Student

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Mana Zonta awarded won by Whitireia Visual Arts and Design Student

Whitireia Visual Arts and Design student Natalie Smith has won the Mana Zonta Design award for 2013. The award was presented to Natalie at a ceremony at Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua City, last Thursday.

The award is given annually by the club to a female student from Whitireia Visual Arts and Design on completion of their degree. The award, $3,000, was presented to Natalie for her outstanding drive and motivation for design, academic standards and her contribution to design research, aimed at commercialisation.

This award is about Women empowering Women to succeed said Deb Donnelly, Co-Programme Leader, Visual Arts and Design at Whitireia. “A helping hand at the beginning of a fledging design career can make all the difference and possibly save years of struggle. We appreciate the support from Mana Zonta towards our students.” Last year was the inaugural year of this award.

Three Whitireia graduates were in the running for this year’s award including Anya Mowll and Laura Campbell.

Thursday was a night of awards for Natalie. Following the Mana Zonta presentation, TOAST, the Whitireia graduate Visual Arts and Design exhibition opened at Pataka Arts + Museum. At this, Natalie was awarded the Toi Pōneke and Whitireia one year, Artist in Residence at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre in Wellington City. This is the second year that this residency has been awarded by Whitireia to a Visual Arts and Design graduate.

This residency provides a third year degree graduate, whose intention is to extend their study for a further year, paid studio space based in the creative hub of Toi Pōneke.

Natalie is a multi-talented artist who works over many media said Chris White, Co-Programme Leader, Visual Arts and Design at Whitireia. “This residency will provide her with an opportunity to further develop herself as an artist.”

Natalie’s graduate work is currently being exhibited at TOAST. Here you will see that her work is a testimony to the traditional skills of casting, with materials of latex and concrete, she has created an installation that acutely references contact with the body.

TOAST exhibition is on at Pataka Art + Museum, Cnr Parumoana and Norrie Streets, Porirua; 22 November - 15 December, Monday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pm and Sunday 11am - 4.30pm.

Whitireia is at the leading edge of Visual Arts and Design. Drawing on Pacific, Māori, and European traditions, combined with technical excellence, it has produced some of New Zealand’s most outstanding artists. Tutors such as Owen Mapp, Peter Deckers, Chris White and Deb Donnelly bring artistic depth and international experience to the programme; providing students with an opportunity learn from some of New Zealand’s best.

ENDS

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