“With so many outstanding works, choosing the winning entries for the different categories was no easy task,” says Jazz Lolesio, Arts Access Activator Auckland, Arts Access Aotearoa and judge of the Annual Members Merit Awards at Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa.

"Being the sole judge for this year’s awards was an immense honour and a deeply humbling experience. The talent across all entries speaks to the creativity thriving in our community and artists who continue to inspire and uplift us."

Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa, Auckland is a creative space offering a variety of programmes, workshops and resources for artists and art enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. 

It has five galleries, studios for classes and workshops, and a gift shop showcasing local art. Its current exhibition showcases work across a range of media from the Annual Members Merit Awards.

The winning entries  

• Priyanka Ray, The Forgotten Telephone (Acrylic), Premier Winner – Any Medium
• Gail Smith, Just Mugs (Ceramic), Merit Award Ceramics – Functional
• Amanda Morton, Sculptural Form on Cedar Stand (Ceramic), Merit Award Ceramics – Sculpture
• Tim Houghton, Old Garden Shed (Acrylic on paper), Merit Award – Painting
• Kerry Lander, Nanna’s Nook (Aquatint etching), Merit Award – Printmaking
• Josie Slack, Urchins (Free motion machine stitch), Merit Award – Abstract work/Mixed media
• Sally Heritage, Eastern Bays (Watercolour), Merit Award – Watercolor or drawing
• Christina Jurgeleit, Flower Shop (Watercolour), Merit Award – EAC student (adult) any media
• Joanna Luker, A Cross Section of Rangitoto (Mosaic), Merit Award – Mosaics
• Ashley Reuben, Christmas Wreath (Mosaic), Merit Award – Mosaics
• Maree Lochead, Idioms (Acrylic), Merit Award – Painting/illustration in 2D
• Amber Boyd, Flight (Plexiplate etching), Merit Award –  Student under 18 in 2D
• Vincio Baldisser, Frog (Ceramic), Merit Award – Student under 18 in clay.
• Participation prize pack awarded to Mathew Chen and Viginia Baldisser

The exhibition runs at Estuary Arts, 214b Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, until 27 July 2025.  Read the story about the impact of Estuary Arts, listed in the Auckland region of impact stories about creative spaces that received Manatūu Taonga funding from 2020 to 2024.