Celebrating craft excellence

ENTRIES are now open for the third Innibos National Premier Craft Awards.

While there are no entry fees, the overall winner will walk away with R50 000, the first runner-up with R20 000 and the second runner-up with R15 000. In addition, there will be merit awards for the Best Emerging Craftsmen, along with sound financial advice to grow their business. The competition is held under the auspices of the Innibos National Arts Festival and is organised by Art Aid Africa’s John Anthony Boerma and Jan Bhuda.

The inaugural competition in 2017 attracted almost 800 entries and last year, over 1 000 crafters entered. “This fabulous response reflects the need that existed for a national platform such as the Innibos National Premier Craft Awards,” said John Anthony.

All artists in the craft sector are invited to submit entries in the following disciplines: ceramics, beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and printing, quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media.

Sixty entries will be shortlisted and put forward for final judging. The adjudication panel will be announced next year, but as always, the organisers are committed to ensuring that the judges are experts in their field who will uphold the integrity of the competition.

ALSO READ:  Exhibition archives Coloured and Indian families

The winners will be announced at an awards evening on Sunday, 23 June, at which all 60 shortlisted entries will be displayed.

Crafters have until 12 April to enter. Take a photo of the entry – next to a matchbox for size of scale – and email it to crafts@innibos.co.za or send it to 071 621 3597 via MMS or WhatsApp. There is no entry fee. Remember to include your name, the town in which you live and your contact details.

Entrants who have not heard from the organisers within 30 days of the closing date must take it as given that they did not make the shortlist for final judging. The finalists must be available to attend the awards evening on 23 June.

WhatsApp Jan Bhuda on 071 621 3597 or email John Anthony Boerma at artaid@lantic.net.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts