Submissions are still open for this year's awards, closing on Friday 8 July. To enter your artwork, click Taranaki Foundation Emergence Award Entry Form

A young Taranaki artist wants his peers to take advantage of the creative opportunities available to them, as he will be at an upcoming art awards.

Jack Perkins, 21, whose painting titled Echo took out the Supreme Award in the 2020 Emergence Awards hosted by the Percy Thomson Gallery, wants to see more young artists take advantage of the chance to exhibit their work.

“It's such a good way to encourage people and keep someone's passion for art going and even give them recognition for the work and skill they've put into producing their art.” he says.

“It was a big step forward for me, being able to be confident in myself and the fact that there are people out there who are going to appreciate what you create”.

The 21 Year old, now studying Biomedical Science at Victoria University hopes to continue his hobby of art, and says it’s something that he always keeps coming back to.

Entries for this year's Emergence Awards are open until 8 July, and artists between the age of 13 and 26 are invited to enter, with a major prize of $2,000, category prizes for photography, 2D Art, 3D art and Māori Art, and the opportunity to sell their work. The supreme winner will also be invited back to present a solo exhibition in Gallery 2 in 2024.