The Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards (ZAFAA) return to the Ashburton Art Gallery for the sixth year. With 74 entries the judges had a tough decision in selecting the finalists. A total of 37 artworks have been selected to be included in the awards exhibition, of which 24 qualify for the Premier Award with an additional 13 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 the Gallery team is excited to see the exhibition come together next month.

Judges for the 2022 awards are:

• Julia Morison, a senior practicing artist from Ōtautahi
• Imogen Stockwell, Curator of Visual Arts at the Forrester Gallery in Ōamaru
• Hannah Joynt, contemporary visual artist and educator based in Ōtepoti.

The Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards Finalists for 2022 are:

Bridgit Anderson, Audrey Baldwin, Amie Blackwell, Karen Boyce, Coral Broughton, Sarah Brown, Kara Burrowes, Kate Cairns, Robbi Carvalho, Sandrine Castel, Conor Clarke, Esther Deans, Edwards + Johann, Charrette van Eekelen, Karen Greenslade, Alice Jones, Vic Mangan, Jen McBride, Louise Palmer, Megan Prendergast, Rachel Sleigh, Rebecca Thomson, Akky van der Velde, and Jenny Wilson.

Finalists for the Young Generation Award are:

Alexandra Black, Kala Burgess, Harriet Eglinton, Kate Harrison, Monica Koster, Holly Murrell, Phoebe Rolleston, Jorja Shadbolt, Vivian Silver-Hessey, Ella Stewart, Elsie Stockman, Elise Talbot and Tessa Wyse

The award winners will be announced at the exhibition opening on Friday, 18 March at 7pm at the Ashburton Art Gallery. Coinciding with the awards ceremony is the opening of Pork Chop Express, a solo exhibition by Jacquelyn Greenbank, the Premier Award winner for ZAFAA21. Those wanting to attend the opening and awards evening should RSVP to the Gallery by 10 March.

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.

Once again, a 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.  ZAFAA22 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, David Montgomery Agribusiness Consultants & Valuers, Straight 8 Estate Wines, Scorpio Books and Samantha Rose Flowers.

Exhibition Details:

ZAFAA22

Opening | 18 March | 7pm

Exhibition | 19 March – 24 April 2021

Jacquelyn Greenbank | Pork Chop Express

Opening | 18 March | 7pm

Exhibition | 19 March – 24 April 2021

Gallery Hours:

Open Daily 10am – 4pm

Open Wednesday 10am – 7pm

For more information, and high-res images contact:

Martine Tait
Business and Communications Assistant
Ashburton Art Gallery
03 308 1133
martine.tait@ashburtonartgallery.org.nz

With a major cash prize, and a solo exhibition up for grabs, the Ashburton Art Gallery and the Zonta Club of Ashburton are thrilled to announce the call for entries for the annual Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards (ZAFAA) and exhibition. Open to all emerging and mid-career female artists, or those who identify as female artists, residing in Canterbury, the award seeks to raise the status of female visual artists and recognises excellence in fine arts practice.

“Female artists face many challenges towards creating full-time careers in the art world,” says Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum Director Shirin Khosraviani. “Opportunities to participate in awards like this, and then to have a solo exhibition, can be career forming, and pivotal, especially for those in the early to mid-career stages.”

Together with the Premier Award is a Young Generation Award for female artists between the ages of sixteen and twenty. This cash prize will acknowledge outstanding potential in visual art with the aim to encourage further creative endeavours, an outcome well suited to Zonta – a global organisation of women working together to advance the status of women worldwide.

Ashburton Zonta committee spokeswoman Linda Petrie says, “Empowerment is the keystone of ZAFAA. The Zonta Club of Ashburton and the Ashburton Art Gallery aim to empower female artists by providing the opportunity to partake in a dynamic exhibition and have the opportunity for career development. Along a similar line, the Young Generation Award aims to foster and support the journey of empowerment in young women.”

ZAFAA22 entries will be shortlisted by a panel of judges comprised of three art sector professionals. The awards will be announced by the judges on the opening night on Friday 18 March 2022.  The ZAFAA22 exhibition will be accompanied by a solo show from ZAFAA21 Premier Award winner, Christchurch-based artist Jacquelyn Greenbank.

ZAFAA22 entry forms are now available here: ZAFAA TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY_2021 (Final)

Entries close Sunday 28 November 2021.

ZAFAA22 is supported by Zonta Club of Ashburton, Ashburton District Council and Creative Communities Grant, Kate Murney, Forsyth Barr, ANZ Bank, Bushey Park Trust, Everist Gilchrist Lawyers, Straight 8 Estate Wine, David Montgomery Agribusiness Consultants & Valuers, and Samantha Rose Flowers.

Key dates for entering ZAFAA22:

• 17 September 2021 | Entries Open
• 28 November 2021 | Entries Close
• 18 January 2022 | ZAFAA22 finalists and judges announced
• 1—12 February 2022 | all finalists works to arrive at the Gallery
• 18 March 2022 at 7pm | Exhibition opening
• 24 April 2022 | ZAFAA22 exhibition ends