The biennial award, made possible through the legacy of Canterbury watercolourist Cranleigh Barton (1890-1975), is jointly presented by the the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Canterbury Museum and the Guardian Trust (the executors of Mr Barton’s estate), with support from The Drawing Room.

A panel of judges select the major award winner ($5000) and a merit award ($500). A public exhibition of works selected from entries received is on at the Christchurch Art Gallery until 23 November, 2003. Previous recipients of the award include Ruth Cleland (2001), Lorraine Webb (1999), Richard Lewer (1997), Nigel Buxton (1995) and Michael Dell (1993). Cranleigh Barton was a lawyer with a lifelong interest in art. He studied under Maud Sherwood (nèe Kimbell) at the Wellington Technical College in 1906.

He began painting full-time in 1919 when he moved to Christchurch. In 1924 he moved to England where he studied at London’s Slade School of Fine Arts. Mr Barton exhibited throughout Britain and returned to Christchurch in 1930 where he remained until his death. Cranleigh Barton’s estate left a wealth of watercolours to The Canterbury Museum.