A handful of Otago potters will contest New Zealand's premier pottery prize this week.
Liz Fey, Lynda McNamara, Elise O'Neill, Amanda Shanley, all of Dunedin, and Marion Mewburn, of Millers Flat, will vie for the 2011 Premier Portage Ceramic Award.
More than 240 works were submitted by emerging and established ceramic artists for the awards, which will be judged by Australian ceramic artist Janet Mansfield.
New Zealand pottery reflected the unique environment in this country, Ms Mansfield said.
"There is a detail and a quality in many of the works I have not come across before. The finesse and exquisite care taken to reproduce native flora and fauna indicate to me that ceramic practice in New Zealand is in fine form," she said.
"When it comes to making ceramics, New Zealand has a history of being technically strong. Many of the finalist pieces use traditional techniques to create contemporary works of a high standard."
The winner of the $15,000 Premier Portage Award will be announced in Auckland tomorrow. A runner-up prize and four merit awards will also be presented.
