Hamilton artists ready works for 2011 IHC Arts Awards

Creative Hamiltonian Cherie Mellsop is painting up a storm in preparation for the 2011 IHC Art Awards.

No stranger to the awards she placed first in 2009 and was one of 30 finalists nationwide last year.

She said it was amazing to win and she will paint forever because she loves the feeling it gives her.

While she has not picked which artwork to enter yet Ms Mellsop hopes to be a finalist again this year.

Ms Mellsop spends Tuesdays, her special art day, working on artwork at the Sandz Art Studio in Frankton.

Lorraine Pemberton, Sandz gallery and studio manager, said the awards give artists with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to earn their own money and fund their goals in life.

“It’s amazing for the artists to enter the awards, it gives them a sense of achievement and belonging while doing something they love.”

Ms Pemberton said the top three artists each year win between $1000 and $5000 each.

Ms Mellsop used her 2009 winnings to take her mum on a cruise, something she had always wanted to do.

Cherie is not the only artist from Sandz who has done well at the awards. Fellow painter Paul Griffith came second last year.

This year Sandz Art Studio aims to enter all 40 of their artists in the awards.

Sandz is an art studio and gallery dedicated to providing artists with intellectual disabilities a place to create and exhibit their artwork. It is also the host of the IHC Art Awards regional exhibition of this year finalists from June 23 to July 15.

The national exhibition will be at the St James Theatre Gallery, Wellington from August 2 to 16.

Amy Watson, communications advisor for the awards, said the awards are an opportunity for the artists to celebrate and showcase their work and prove that disabilities do not restrict talent.

“The artists do all the hard work we just give them a platform to show it.”