Story and photos: Howick Art Group exhibition opening

David Szeto and his painting Beautiful Environment (bottom), winner of the prestigious Best in Show prize, and Best Landscape. Times photos PJ Taylor

The Howick Art Group’s Spring Festival Art Exhibition got off to a triumphant beginning with a superb turnout of arts enthusiasts and practitioners.

At the opening function on Saturday evening at Howick Bowling Club, the exhibition venue until this Sunday August 10, more than 100 excited attendees enjoyed viewing the high-quality artworks that are all for sale – apart from the ones already purchased.

The pieces have been meticulously created by members of the Howick Art Group, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary after originally forming in February 1965.

“What a wonderful evening it was!” exclaims Amanda Gleason, one of the lead organisers of the event alongside Julie Mitchell, and the many Howick Art Group volunteers who helped set up the event and thorough display of many different styles and genres.

Attendees at the opening of the Howick Art Group’s Spring Festival Art Exhibition view some of the many top-class artworks showing at Howick Bowling Club.

Some 212 works by adult artists were entered in the prize categories, not including the many created by students of Howick, Bucklands Beach and Somerville Intermediate Schools in the Art Extension programme with its theme In Our Own Backyard.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, well-known artist, group member and MC Merv Appleton, said the collective pieces’ “standard is the best I can remember” for the annual springtime show.

“Congratulations to all the artists who have works displaying here.”

Howick Local Board members were in attendance, including chair Damian Light, Adele White and John Spiller, with Light acknowledging that the Howick ward “is a very creative area” for artistic people.

Tiana Chang and her paintings (bottom), the one closest to her being Waiting, winner of the Best Acrylic work, alongside Azure Window, Malta.

“Well done to you all. There is amazing art on display. The judges would have found it a difficult job to award the prizes.

“Sixty years is an impressive achievement,” Light said, of the group’s longevity.

Appleton also recognised its recent growth in adult membership numbers, up to around 140, and that it encourages anyone who’d like to join is welcome, especially children and young people.

The exhibition’s sponsors and supporters were also acknowledged including the Howick Local Board, Howick Bowling Club, Ribbon Rose, Ray White Howick, Blank Inspiration, and the Eastern Times.

Layton Ruiz, with his work Sweet of Bucklands Beach, which won Best Dry Art.

The Howick Art Group’s Spring Festival Art Exhibition is open daily from 10am to 4pm until this Sunday August 10 at Howick Bowling Club. Entry is free.

Winners of prizes in the exhibition categories:

Best in Show: David Szeto – Beautiful Environment.

Landscapes, first: David Szeto – Beautiful Environment.

Abstract, first: Darren Carville – Venetia Defends Sector 19.

Portraits, first: Elise De Silva – Selfie Portrait.

Seascapes, first: Carina Sim Smith – Looking Back – Abel Tasman.

Still Life, first: Haihui Wang – The Predator.

Best Oil, first: Haihui Wang – The Predator.

Wildlife, first: Merv Appleton – The Straggler.

Best Watercolour: Florence Gao – Luminous Orchid Dream.

Best Acrylic: Tiana Chang – Waiting.

Best Dry Art: Layton Ruiz – Sweet on Bucklands Beach.