Paul Deacon - Patron

I originate from Dartmouth in Devon where my father was a fisherman and mother a part time artist and raised in Dartmouth and Sligo, Ireland respectively throughout my younger years. I joined the Merchant Navy in 1974 where I worked my way up to mate and relief master on small ships trading around Europe and North West Africa. From there I joined the Prison Service before immigrating to New Zealand in 1995 with my family and now recently retired after working the last 25 years in youth services.

I’m one of New Zealand’s leading marine artists specialising in traditional oil painting and a member of the ASMA (Australian Society of Marine Artists) and the NZAFA (New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts). I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Business but more importantly offer the TAFG my years of experience nudging around the fringes of the art world having had my artwork accepted and rejected countless times.

Lewis Della Bosca - Founder and Committee Member

Lewis Della Bosca in partnership with his wife Glenys, own and operate Impressions Picture Framers and Art Supplies in Richmond, and have been involved with the annual award as instigators and  principal sponsors since its inception in 2006. Lewis had a vision of a national award located in the Tasman District, so in 2016 he invited Graeme Stradling and Glenys Forbes, both Ruby Coast artists to become involved. While maintaining a close connection with the awards as Patron and as a sponsor, Lewis would like to see the now Tasman National Art Awards further develop into a significant event to showcase Tasman and NZ art and artists.

Anna Pickersgill-Brown - Chairperson

Having lived in the Tasman region since 2016, I count myself blessed to live in this area which I find, as an artist and a woman of faith, so inspiring. 

I count it a privilege to be a committee member of the Tasman Art Focus  Group.

I am also a member of Nelson Suter Art Society, Motueka Art Group, Art Group Nelson and Mapua Art group.

I love to paint and draw, having done so since finger painting at kindergarten… (I still love finger painting!)

I bring a wealth of financial, creative and administrative experience to this group having done all of these roles in my journey thus far.

Kaye Farrer - Treasurer

Nelson is my home and has been forever.  I have had many overseas holidays and seen many parts of the world but I always love to come home to this wonderful region and all it has to offer. 

I am a part-time artist but my passion for art and craft has been lifelong. I have a motto where if someone else can do it, I can too. This has led me down various avenues including, lead lighting, mixed media and sculpting but I always come back to my true love of drawing and painting.   

I am a member of the Nelson Suter Art Society and was their treasurer for 2 years prior to joining the TNAA team.  

There is an extraordinary amount of time and effort that goes into making this event the success that it is and I welcome the opportunity to be a part of that.   

Jill Richards - Registrar

Having been brought up in Nelson, after 40 years I am very happy to be back living here again and more importantly being part of the artistic community that is thriving in the region. I recently left the Collective Gallery Wall to Wall and retired as Exhibitions Officer for the Suter Art Society, so am ready to give my time to the new role as Registrar for the Tasman National Art Awards and looking forward to it continuing to grow as a national competition.

My work mainly centres around monoprinting, collaged monoprints and I am exploring the joys of encaustic as well.

Teaching techniques has become a new-found love of mine – running classes for up to 12 participants on monoprinting, exploring background techniques (rust dyeing, using resists and discharge dyeing) and creating collage elements using a multitude of mediums.

Exhibiting in the Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington Art Shows as well as local exhibitions run by the Nelson Suter Art Society and Art Group Nelson, gives me a great opportunity to engage with the public about my art processes. I particularly enjoy the feedback I receive and exchange of ideas. Always trying new ideas and developing old ones – it is my ‘happy place!’

Glenis Ambrose - Sponsorship and Promotion

Having worked for many years in the corporate world as Head of Human Resources for a large multinational company I have vast experience in all streams of employment relations and management.

I chose early retirement and took the opportunity to delve into new hobbies and outdoor interests. I have always loved colour and was drawn to exploring a variety of arts and crafts with my passion now being painting.  Over the years I have worked in a number of mediums including oils, acrylics and mixed media. My love of colour comes through in my art.

I have valued having the time to do volunteer work which  has included being the Workshop Coordinator and Treasurer of Art Group Nelson, a committee member of the Nelson Suter Art Society and Sponsorship and Promotion of the Tasman National Art Awards

Since moving to  Nelson I  relish the wide variety of arts, galleries and outdoor activities that Nelson and the South Island has to offer.

Sue Birchfield - Social Media

Sue Birchfield was born in Nelson, raised a family here and is now pursuing her creative dreams. She is a member of The Wall to Wall Art Gallery and is really excited to be involved with the Tasman Art Awards. She loves plein air painting and also teaching people how to start their creative journeys.    

Paul Nankivell - Operations

I’ve taken on the role of Treasurer for the Tasman Art Focus Group. I’ve been a resident of Mapua for 20 years and I’ve also been a committee member for the Mapua and Districts Business Association. I have recently retired from my construction business and am able to devote more time to my photography and artwork.

Peter Copp - Committee Member

On leaving school I trained as an aircraft engineer and worked in aviation until 1981 when, together with my wife Marion, we bought our family apple orchards.

I developed an interest in painting at high school. When I retired, I began committing more time to my art, spending two to three hours each day enjoying the time to create new work.

Living in Ruby Bay since 1970 has given me the opportunity to observe the local landmarks and seascapes around Tasman Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park that have become the subject of many my paintings. The changing light patterns in the sky and sea, together with seasonal changes has always influenced my work.

Stephanie Buck - Committee Member

Since taking up painting again in 2011, I have been involved with the Tasman Visual Arts Group, and Mapua Art Group. Exhibitions are exciting, and I have enjoyed being part of the organising crew of many, both with TVAG and MAG.

Watercolour is the medium I work in - I especially like the natural flow, light, and transparency created by watercolour.

I am also a musician, and my long-time passion was to place a piano on the streets of Richmond for the enjoyment of all public, whether to play or to listen. I procured a very good Beale piano in 2013, and with the help of friends at Tasman Visual Arts Group who created the artwork, March 2014 saw my project finally come to fruition, and the piano was wheeled out for a grand opening.

I enjoy being part of a team to help ‘make things happen’ hence my recent involvement with Tasman Art Focus Group.