It all started with a letter to the Wanganui Chronicle.
Now Wanganui potter Ross Mitchell-Anyon has put his money where his mouth is and decided to offer a People's Choice Award for the Sarjeant Gallery's Whanganui Arts Review.
Mitchell-Anyon and his wife, Bobbi, are offering $750 to the artist whose artwork receives the most public votes. They have committed to the award for the next three years, beginning with the review on display.
Every member of the public who votes gets the chance to win $250 and a Sarjeant Gallery membership.
The idea began in late September when Mitchell-Anyon wrote a letter to the Wanganui Chronicle, bemoaning the fact his entry had not won this year's arts review.
"Despite my devastation at again not being judged the best artist in Whanganui, I have come up with a cunning plan to redress this situation. My wife and I would like to reward the best artist with $1000, and we will let the public decide," Mitchell-Anyon said in his letter.
He said he was serious about the offer, and contacted the Sarjeant Gallery after the letter was published to discuss the award.
"I think we need wider public support for the arts review, and for the Sarjeant Gallery in general.
"The best way to get people engaged is by letting them have their say.
"It will be interesting to see what the public thinks," Mitchell-Anyon said.
He said he had discussed with Sarjeant staff whether his offering the award was a conflict of interest, but decided it was not.
"If I win - and I don't think I will - I'll either donate the money to the runner-up or to the Sarjeant Gallery re-development fund."
Voting in the People's Choice Award opens today at Sarjeant On The Quay, and closes November 27.