Siblings show artistic talent runs in the family

Artistic talent obviously runs in the family with a brother and sister team winning top prizes at the McDonald Canvas Challenge last week.

Anja Navaro (13) took home first place for her abstract painting of Stratford's iconic clock tower.

Older brother Sebastian (15) won the Emerging Artist Award which was presented by the Stratford Art Society.

The winners were announced at the Percy Thomson Gallery on Friday.

Anja, who attends Waitara High School, entered the competition for the first time this year with the encouragement of her grandmother. "Nana is an artist and she suggested I give the canvas challenge a go."

Anja says she designed her canvas with the clock tower in mind but wanted to incorporate as much colour as possible. "I am really impressed with all the canvas' in the exhibition, there are so many great ones I was very surprised to get first place."

Her award was presented by Peter McDonald who said it is always an honour to be a part of the canvas challenge each year.

"There is a huge amount of creative and talented people in our community, it is amazing to see."

Sebastian won his award with a mixed media piece - a painting of the mountain and layers of other elements on top to create a textured canvas.

Sebastian, who studies art for NCEA level one, says he decided to join the challenge for the first time because "street art is very much my style".

"Free hand sketching is what I am best at but I thought I would try something new with the canvas."

Lyal Barrett, of the Stratford At Society says Sebastian's piece showed skill with real potential to grow.

Canvases were judged by a panel made up of members of the Stratford Art Society and the Stratford District Youth Council.

All the judges agreed it was difficult to select the top cavases because of the obvious hard work had gone into each piece.

Another exhibition opened on Friday featuring New Zealand street artist, Milarky.

While Milarky couldn't make the opening, his pieces of art arrived just in time, after being shipped from America.

For his exhibition the New Plymouth artist uses signs that he collects from homeless people throughout the United States and adds his own flare.

Both exhibitions can be seen at the Percy Thomson Art Gallery until July 19.