Art Shows Across Aotearoa is delighted to announce Kim Wright-Stow as the Christchurch Regional Judge for the recently established ASAA Gold Award for Art Excellence. This national Award generously sponsored by Stuff Media has an overall value of $35,000+ and will be progressively adjudicated across four major Art Shows in four different New Zealand cities throughout 2024 culminating in the overall Gold Award Presentation to a single winner in November 2024.

Kim will be working with Lead Judge Karl Chitham Director of The Dowse one of New Zealand’s leading contemporary galleries and third Judge from Stuff Media, at the Christchurch Art Show at Te Pae Event Centre in March to select the first of the regional finalists to go through to the top four.

As Creative Director and second-generation owner of Little River Gallery in Banks Peninsula Kim Wright-Stow will bring a fresh and valuable perspective to the Award selection process. Bachelor of Arts educated with a background in arts administration and events, Kim's career has been embedded in creative cooperation, facilitating and achieving desired outcomes within creative fields.  No stranger to creative practice herself, Kim has undertaken the study of drawing, painting and ceramics through various avenues over the past 20 years.

Now bringing this background and these skills to bear at Little River Gallery Kim is passionate about championing and building diversity across the Gallery representation – focusing on nurturing relationships with existing established artists, fostering new connections with up-and-coming talent and running a full schedule of successful exhibitions.

With a focus on New Zealand contemporary art, Little River is also home to a carefully considered selection of original paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery, along with gift and functional ware showcasing the best of homegrown artisan craftspeople and designers.