Organised under the auspices of the Evolve Holistic Development Trust, the award offers a $1000 prize for a work of outstanding spiritual integrity and artistic merit.
Work comes from all sorts of perspectives - some with Christian symbolism, some with Buddhist or Hindu, or with more arcane symbolism such as sacred geometry or astrology, co-ordinator Debbie Pratt says.
The competition attracted 53 entries from Otago artists and while some came from established artists, a third of the entrants were new to exhibiting, like Dennis Mariu.
Painting is a passion for Mariu, a therapist who says he unwinds with his paintbrush.
He likes to infuse the physical and spiritual worlds with symbolic elements of Maori art, he says.
The entries were judged by two art professionals - Jaenine Parkinson, of Blue Oyster Gallery, and David McLeod, of Quadrant Gallery - and the Rev Helene Mann, of St Paul's Cathedral.
"We felt it was important to have someone whose main job was spirituality, from a spiritual or religious institution, on the judging panel to add that perspective as well as art professionals.
The two professionals enjoyed having someone from outside the mainstream art," Cweorth said.
The 21 finalists will be exhibited in a gallery space in the Savoy building at the corner of Moray Pl and Princes St.
The winners will be announced at the opening tomorrow at 6pm.
About 20 of the works not selected for the main exhibition will be on show at Carnegie Cottage, 197 Stuart St, where the Evolve Trust has its headquarters.
The award and the $1000 first prize are funded partly by Creative Communities through the DCC and the rest from donations from individuals and sponsorship from organisations.
It is run on a voluntary basis.
Some of the proceeds from commissions on sales will go to Artsenta, Cweorth says.
During the exhibition, there will also be presentations in the gallery and talks on various aspects of spirituality.
The trust, which aims to support people exploring aspects of spirituality and holistic healing and wellbeing, will launch its new website, www.evolve-hdt.org, at the same time.
Be there
"Art and Spirituality" 2011 Evolve Art Award, cnr Moray Pl and Princes St, opens on January 28 and runs until February 4.
Salon des Refuses, Carnegie Cottage, 197 Stuart St.
Free talks
January 29, 2pm: Being in Colour - explore the universal language of colour with Barbara Dixon-Grant.
January 30, 2pm: The Art of the Native American Peace Pipe - a workshop with Aelred Edmunds.
February 3, 7pm: Esoteric Psychology - an introduction by Sandra Paul.
