Over 1000 primary schools, high schools, special-needs schools and tertiary institutions around South Africa sent in a total of 5480 entries for Art By SA’s No. 1, Konica Minolta South Africa's first art competition. Twelve finalists have been chosen.
Entries were judged on seven categories: creativity and originality, composition, content, execution, presentation, technical level, and overall evaluation. Each of these categories was scored out of ten, giving a final score out of 70. After nine weeks of gruelling adjudication, 126 entrants went on to the voting round, with scores in their categories averaging 58 and above.
On 27 November, Konica Minolta set-up a pop-up gallery showcasing the works of the 126 finalists. The finalists included 20 special-needs entrants, 39 primary-school entrants, 41 high-school entrants and 26 tertiary-school entrants.
Both their talent and hard work were admired by 105 Konica Minolta staff members, who came down for the day to view the work and, along with the adjudicators, voted for the 12 overall finalists.
The 12 finalists are:
Special Needs Schools:
Janco Malan (Polokwane), La Wiida Leersentrum.
Nikita Coetzee (Cape Town), Westcliff School of Skills.
Otlotleng Dimi (Pretoria), Sonitus School.
Primary Schools:
Andrew Urmson (Johannesburg), St. Peter’s Preparatory School.
Huda Hamid (Kimberley), St. Patrick’s CBC Kimberley.
Janco Kotzé (Cape Town), Durbanville Primary.
High Schools:
Brooklynn Fynn (Durban), Maris Stella High School.
Jade Mackenzie (Cape Town), Fish Hoek High School.
Jemma McKenzie (Nelspruit), Penryn College.
Tertiary Schools:
Mothobi Mefane (Bloemfontein), Motheo TVET College.
Nicole Oberholzer (Pretoria), The Open Window Institution.
Tshegofatso Nkumeleng (Johannesburg), Artist Proof Studio.
The finalists stand to win a share of R60,000 and a R20,000 bursary for their school, college or institution. Together with a parent or guardian, they will spend a special day with Konica Minolta on 2 February 2019, when the overall winner in each category will be announced.
‘We have been thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the competition and the level of talent and effort on show,’ said Alten Hulme, chief sales and marketing officer, Konica Minolta South Africa. ‘Many thanks to the judges and the Konica Minolta staff who voted on the finalists, and well done to the final 12. We look forward to announcing the winners.’
