The inaugural “Splash – Festival of the Fountains”, showcasing the finalist’s Kinetic Water Art pieces, were displayed on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th February 2011, at the top end of Trafalgar Street (corner of Hardy Street) in Nelson.

Over 20 designs were received in the “Splash- Festival of the Fountains” competition with an amazing array of ideas and designs in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Finalists were selected to build their pieces for the showcase. Splash represents fountains as works of “Kinetic Water Art” involving far more than simple water jets. Moving parts, sound, colour and light, in varying forms, were encouraged.

Judges, Lloyd Harwood (Arts Council Nelson) & Deputy Mayor Ali Boswijk said it was an extremely difficult choice to pick the winners, as not only were all the pieces of high quality but totally different.

Winners were announced at the Showcase on Saturday at 2pm.

Winner – $3000.00 Lee Woodman, Nelson – “Pendulum” Runner up -  An overnight adventure for two in the Abel Tasman National Park in association with Nelson Escapes, Kaiteriteri Kayaks & Abel Tasman Aqua Packers. Russel Papworth, Mapua – “Wooden Sleeper”

Highly Commended Finalists –

John-Paul Pochin, Nelson – “Cascade”;

Fiona Sutherland & Andy Waugh, Nelson – “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”;

Sally Barron, Nelson – “Dark Side of the Moon”.

As part of the People’s Choice Award, Smythes Lawyers provided $500, which was awarded jointly to “Wooden Sleeper” by Russel Papworth of Mapua and “Dark Side of the Moon” by Sally Barron of Nelson who each received $250.  The Nelson Mail provided advertising space to promote the competition with the public voting form published on Monday 28 February.  The public were also rewarded with one lucky reader chosen to win a dinner for two at Café Olive, this went to the Bosecke Family of Upper Moutere.

Steering Committee Chairman, Mark Holmes said “given good support, it is anticipated the event could grow into a major festival for Nelson over the coming years. Winning fountains could be placed permanently around the city streets and waterfront, creating a unique ‘point-of-difference’ appealing to both locals and visitors alike”.