Last chance to vote for Miles Art Awards - People's Choice accolade

Art fans gather at Tauranga Art Gallery for the 2018 Miles Art Awards. Photo / File

Voting in the prestigious 2020 Miles Art Awards- People's Choice Award closes this weekend, with 40 finalists vying for the honour.

The Miles Art Awards are a biennial event held at Tauranga Art Gallery.

The Awards are named after one of the gallery's original donors, Venetta Miles, who is remembered for her foresight and generosity.

The Miles Art Awards are supported by The Venetta Miles Trust, including through a $10,000 supreme award.

The awards are also made possible thanks to the Friends of Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga Mayor, The Incubator Creative Hub and the Bay of Plenty Times.

The winner of the Bay of Plenty Times-sponsored People's Choice Award will be announced on August 5 and voting closes on August 2.

However, the exhibition of the finalists' artwork at the gallery closes on August 15.

Exhibition manager Duane Moyle said the 100 entries were whittled down by the judging panel to 40 finalists and the public are now needed to choose their winner.

Moyle said there was a huge variety of works in the exhibition, and the People's Choice Award entries showcased a wide range of art mediums, including installations.

"Some of the artworks are quite challenging but others are more traditional. There is definitely something for everybody and all the artworks are for sale."

Moyle said the People's Choice Award had to be delayed due to the impacts of Covid-19 and he urged anyone who had not already visited the gallery to pop in and vote.

"It is really great to see the community supporting our talented local artists and this year we decided to make sure people can also take a virtual tour of the entries online."

People can also take a virtual tour of the exhibition by visiting the gallery's website and vote online.

The other category winners were announced on March 13.

Israel Randell was named the Supreme Award winner for her work Wahi Ngaro, 2019 - a striking installation of electroluminescent wire.

Her award-winning entry is also up for the People's Choice Award.

Visit https://www.artgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/id/1393