Four locals make the cut

Artist Margaret Silverwood is one of four Wanganui artists who have made the short list of the prestigious Parkin Prize.

Four Wanganui artists are flying their hometown flag at a prestigious drawing award.

Drawings by Margaret Silverwood, Andrea du Chatenier, Glen Hutchins and Cathy Tuato'o Ross have made the short-list of 81 for the $20,000 Parkin Prize, out of 454 entries received.

Parkin Prize spokeswoman, Rebecca Reed, said what made these four unusual is that theirs are the only short-listed entries from outside the three main centres.

"[Wanganui] is the only region outside of the main centres - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch - that has artists shortlisted, so this is great for the region," Ms Reed said.

She said the four entries, along with the other 77, would be exhibited at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington.

"All the artworks will be for sale, giving admirers and collectors the opportunity to purchase some wonderful pieces."

Margaret Silverwood told the Wanganui Chronicle she was delighted her drawing, Peaceable Kingdom [Denniston Plateau], had made the short list.

Margaret Silverwood's entry for the Parkin Prize, Peaceable Kingdom [Denniston Plateau].

"I'm very pleased. It's a great idea to have a prize dedicated to drawing," Ms Silverwood said.

Peaceable Kingdom [Denniston Plateau] is a simple yet detailed image showing a baby holding a snail. It was done in graphite pencil and coloured pencil on paper. "It was something I had had in mind for a while, and I thought it would be good for the competition," Ms Silverwood said.

She said having four Wanganui entries in the final exhibition was great publicity for Wanganui.

"Hopefully more people will realise what a fantastic place Wanganui is, and more people will come here."

The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts exhibition opens today. The winning submission will be selected and announced by judge, poet, essayist, art-writer, book-illustrator and artist Gregory O'Brien on August 6, 2014.