Ann Uerata and Rachel Bebbington Sheary picked up first prize in the painting and sculpture categories in the inaugural Project Twin Streams Art Awards.

Ann's work, Waka Kura mo nga tangata, focused on the idea of Project Twin Streams being a 'carer' for the health and environment of the community. This was symbolized through the use of a traditional Moses basket, woven by Ann, and a mattress screen printed with the Project's logo and aim. Ann Uerata and Rachel Bebbington Sheary picked up first prize in the painting and sculpture categories in the inaugural Project Twin Streams Art Awards.

Ann's work, Waka Kura mo nga tangata, focused on the idea of Project Twin Streams being a 'carer' for the health and environment of the community. This was symbolized through the use of a traditional Moses basket, woven by Ann, and a mattress screen printed with the Project's logo and aim."The basket is the physical representation of Project Twin Streams and the community and its health is inside, said Ann.

Ann has been involved with Project Twin Streams for over a year and a half, working on the Opanuku stream, planting and helping to maintain the streambank.

The name of the work, Waka Kura mo nga tangata, also references the ideas of the project. " Waka means any vessal, Kura stands for education and mo nga tangata means for the people - I see Project Twin Streams as a vessel for educating the people and involving the community", said Ann

The awards were a chance for Ann to exhibit weaving, an art form that is often underrepresented in art competitions, at the same level of other sculpture materials. Ann also entered another work in the Project Twin Streams Category and the Open sculpture category, with one piece, Aroha, picking up a merit award.

Bethells' local, Rachel Bebbington Sheary came first in the painting category with her work, Rivercarers3.

The main idea behind her work was to reflect the beauty of the community coming together to both nurture a community space and to enjoy it.

The work contains tree figures which Rachel explained as symbiotic "they are two things coming together to help each other, the trees nurture the people and the people nurture the trees".

"It's a common thread coming through my work" said Rachel, "I have created a series of them with the people becoming more like trees".

Rachel, who works at Laingholm School as an art teacher, finds inspiration for her works in her surroundings "I'm so lucky to live here in this amazing place".

This is the first time Project Twin Streams has sponsored a category of the Waitakere Trust Art Awards. Mandy Patmore, community arts coordinator for Project Twin Streams, said "It was great to see an excellent range of media and mediums, lots of different interpretations of the themes and ideals of the project and a huge range of diversity and all in our first year".

The Project Twin Stream awards were part of the annual Waitakere Trust Art Awards. The awards, currently in their 22nd year, are coordinated by Waitakere Central Community Arts Council, with funding from the Waitakere Trust.

Project Twin Streams is an award-winning, stream bank restoration project based in Waitakere City, Auckland. The nine year project aims to restore and replant 56kms of Waitakere stream banks using a sustainable development approach. The project is delivered under a unique council/community partnership approach where local residents and groups, work with the local co-coordinators to get residents involved in restoring their local stream.

Waitakere City Council receives funding from the Auckland Regional Council to undertake Project Twin Streams.

For this year's Waitakere Trust Art Awards, Project Twin Streams has sponsored a category, with seven prizes totaling $3200, for both sculpture and painting.

Image: Rivercarers3 (detail) by Rachel Bebbington Sheary

08/10/08