Last Saturday, South Auckland’s tiniest defenders of Papatūānuku, our Mother Earth, showcased their extraordinary talents in sustainable art at the annual Eye on Nature Creative Arts prize-giving. The annual event awarded a whopping $2,550 in cash prizes and art supply vouchers to our local schools and kindergartens.
Mission and Vision
This yearly competition invites our tamariki from local kindergartens and primary schools to dive into sustainability and art, creating art pieces that echo this year’s theme: "Waste." Crafted from sustainable materials and repurposed waste, the art serves as an inspiring testament to what young minds can achieve. "Our kaupapa is to inspire the younger generation to become environmental leaders in an engaging and imaginative manner," says Sterling Ruwhiu, Community Manager of the Beautification Trust.
The Award-Winning Art
Artists Shavaun Apineru, Ronak Sharma, Risha Reddy, Arohi Prassad, and Amber Te Whiu from South Auckland Middle School claimed the top spot in the primary school category with their masterpiece, 'Save the Earth'. Designed with both organic and inorganic reused materials, this vivid creation portrays the grim scene of rubbish erupting from the earth. Judges commended their efforts, praising, "Ka pai for taking action and picking up rubbish as part of your project. They reused materials and made their own glue."
In the kindergarten category, the ASPIRE Learning playgroup took the first prize with their artwork titled 'Life RE-Cycle of a Butterfly'. The piece whimsically captures the lifecycle of a butterfly through a recycling lens. The judging panel lauded the interpretation and the children’s involvement in the project.
A Free Art Exhibition for All
All these magnificent artworks will be part of a free exhibition at the Auckland Botanic Gardens during the upcoming school holidays. Attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the People's Choice Award. “Through art, we're empowering our tamariki to reimagine a greener, more sustainable world,” adds Sterling Ruwhiu.
Our Sponsors and Supporters
The Beautification Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude to Auckland Council and the six southern local boards for their sponsorship, enabling us to host this part of our award-winning children's environmental education programme, Eye on Nature.
The Winners in Full
Kindergarten Winners:
1st place, $500: ASPIRE Learning playgroup, 'Life RE-Cycle of a Butterfly'
2nd place, $250: All the children and kaiako of Aorere kindergarten, 'Kai-Awhina O Te Puna'
3rd place, $100: Liam Dunbar, Elisha Lu, Juniper Le Grove Smith, Ezra Carpenter, Harry Porteous, Leo Traynor, Sebastian Bote, Keren Muruganathan, Miles Davies, Eshaya Varma, ‘Papatūānuku Has a Tummy Ache, ngā Tamariki are awake!'
Merit prize, $100: 2–5-year-olds from Cascades Kindergarten, 'Away'
Primary School Winners:
1st place, $750: Shavaun Apineru, Ronak Sharma, Risha Reddy, Arohi Prassad, Amber Te Whiu, 'Save the World'
2nd place, $500: Ethan Head and Ethan Henri, 'Troubled Taniwha'
3rd place, $250: Hayzelle Nia Nia and Laeyshen Tuala, ‘The Terrified Turtle and the Whale in Waste’
Merit prize, $100: Katrina Tora from Saint Mary’s Catholic School Papakura, 'V of the Sea'