2025 IHC Art Award Winners Announced
Renee Derix from Hamilton has won the annual IHC Art Awards and a $5,000 prize with her mixed media piece Underwater.
Renee created the work at the Grey Street Studio where she's been a regular alongside her sister for about 10 years.
Tutor Maree Glass went round to her home to share the fantastic news.
"She was absolutely delighted, says Maree. "It was wonderful to see their home filled with so much of their art work."
Renee's piece sold at the opening night of the Art Awards.
Second place and a $3,000 prize went to Amy Lewis for Angel for the People, a felted wool angel in a frame.
Amy Hall took third place and $2,000 for Harriet: My Cat, a hand-sculpted ceramic vase which is a tribute to her beloved pet.
The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award for art studios that support artists with intellectual disabilities went to Studio2 in South Dunedin.
The studio won $5,000 with works from studio artists Krystal Hislop - Love, Leslie Wilson - Hands and Sheree Whaiapu - Wairoa Awa.
Studio2 Art Manager and Art Facilitator Phoebe Ryder says they're rapt with the win.
"We were really excited about our artists' mahi this year and we're super grateful."
While the decision is yet to be made, Phoebe hopes they will be able to spend the prize money supporting new in-studio projects.
Honor Griffiths from Rolleston has won the Youth Award and $1,500 with her mixed media work Blue Purple Cool Yucky.
Voting for the Forté Recruitment People's Choice Award opens on the IHC website today, closing at 5pm on August 10.
All competition entries are on display at Webb's, 23 Marion St, Wellington until August 13.
The judges this year were Tim Walker, Auckland-based arts and culture consultant; Mark Hutchins-Pond, Webb’s Senior Art Specialist; Elizabeth Caldwell, Manager Arts, Culture and Heritage at Napier City Council; and Michel Tuffery, artist.
