Last week, Konica Minolta offered secondary school artists a chance to share in one of the largest prizes on offer to art students in New Zealand.
The Konica Minolta Award, one of the highlights of the weeklong Artworks event, took place at the Hilton in Auckland.
This year’s winner, Greg Togiava from Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, impressed judges with his unique style of photography. Second place went to Ziggy Lever from Western Springs College, and third to Kutania Tukupoto from Wesley College. These winners received cash for themselves and their schools. A further four students received Highly Commended certificates and a gift from Konica Minolta.
Brent Jameson, marketing communications manager at Konica Minolta, said, "Konica Minolta is proud to be the major sponsor of the the 2008 Secondary School Artworks at the Hilton. The exhibition presents a fantastic opportunity for art students to promote and sell their creative works in this unique event. We hope that the prize money we have awarded to the top students and schools will only help to further advance their development in the field of art in New Zealand." -
Over 50 art pieces went on display giving the young artists a chance to showcase their talent and gain valuable exposure by exhibiting and selling their work to a viewing public of art enthusiasts.
Artworks at the Hilton, the largest art event of its kind in New Zealand, attracted over 5000 visitors who over purchased $300,000 of art. A portion of the money went to nominated charities as commissions, with the balance returned to the school or student. Charities included Variety – the Children’s Charity, Kidz First, CanTeen, The Mazda Foundation and Rotary projects.
