Creative Spaces Network
“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
Premier winner:
- Jane Tian, “Breathless”, Paper quilling
Merits in ceramics:
- Gail Reichert – student, “Bowled Over”
- Sharon Clayton, “Taniwha of the Moana”
- Iona Breinhorst, “Vase”
Merits in painting:
- Leda Daniel, “Kotare’s Kiss”, Oil and mixed media
- Tim Houghton, “Into the Blue Reef Samoa”, Acrylic
- Patricia Holliss, “Kotuku at Lake”, Watercolour
- Fiona Ehn, “Happy Nonna’s”, Acrylic and mixed media
- David Marshall, “Chaos”, Acrylic
- Caitlin Johnson, “You, Me and the Sea”, Mixed media
Merit in mosaics:
- Klara Rider, “Tides of Time”
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.
