The Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards (ZAFAA) return to the Ashburton Art Gallery for the seventh year.
With 87 entries the judges had a tough decision in selecting the finalists. Of 42 finalists, 29 artists qualify for the Premier Award and 13 are eligible for the Young Generation Award for female artists between the age of 16-20.
ZAFAA seeks to raise the status of female visual artists and to acknowledge the contribution women make to the greater art discourse.
The award is aligned with the values of Zonta International, which exists to advance the status of woman worldwide through service and advocacy.
Once again, a high caliber of artworks has been submitted for consideration in the Awards and work is under way to bring this fantastic exhibition to fruition next month.
Judges for the 2023 awards are Professor Jane Venis, contemporary practicing artist Lauren Gutsell, Kairauhī Curator at Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Caroline McQuarrie, contemporary visual artist and Senior Lecturer in Photography at Whiti o Rehua School of Art Massey University.
The Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards Finalists for 2023 are Alix Ashworth, Sarah Beal, Kate Beaty, Amie Blackwell, Jo Burzynska, Kate Cairns, Ynes Guevara-Doyle, Claudia Du.XZ, Charrette van Eekelen, Monique Gooch, Jessica Hamilton, Katie Hayles, Edwards + Johann, Ina Johann, Claire Johnson, Heather Jonson, Carol King, Ira Mitchell, Elizabeth Moyle, Marie Porter, Hazel Rae, Jane Reid, Jennifer Rendall, Hope River, Rebecca Smallridge, Elfi Spiewack, Rebecca Stewart, Jane Whales, and Hazel White.
Finalists for the Young Generation Award are Molly Fitzgerald, Madeline Hann, Kate Harrison, Maiah Henderson, Monica Koster, Molly Mannering, Jorgia McAllister, Roslyn McLean, Emma Nicholson, Gemma O’Neill, Vivien Silver-Hesey, Jorja Shadbolt and Jenny Wang.
The award winners will be announced at the exhibition opening at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on March 10 at 7pm.
Coinciding with the awards ceremony is the opening of a solo exhibition by Audrey Baldwin, the Premier Award winner for ZAFAA22.
People wanting to attend the opening and awards evening should RSVP to the Gallery by March 3.
As with other years, in addition to the main awards, a People’s Choice Award will be open to visitors to vote for their favourite work throughout the duration of the exhibition and will be awarded at its conclusion.
A generous grant from NZ Creative Communities has enabled the creation of a free catalogue which will include details on all the finalists, along with judges’ and sponsors’ profiles.
ZAFAA23 is proudly supported by Zonta Club of Ashburton, CNZ Creative Communities Grant, Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery, Forsyth Barr, ANZ Bank, Bushey Park Trust, Everist Gilchrist Lawyers, Straight 8 Estate Wines, Scorpio Books and Samantha Rose Flowers.
ZAFAA is at the Ashburton Art Gallery March 11 to April 23.
