THE curiously-named Ranamok Glass Prize is an annual acquisitive award for glass artists in Australia and New Zealand.

These days the Ranamok Glass Prize, the premier glass prize in Australasia, always starts at the Canberra Glassworks where the winner is chosen, before touring the country.

Glassworks staff believe there is no better way to get a feel for the artform than to view the finalists in the prize, with a chance to enter their favourite piece in the People’s Choice Awards.

Among the 2012 finalists are four local glass artists, Annette Blair from Queanbeyan, Lisa Cahill from Pialligo, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello from Rivett and Nikki Main from Weston.

The prize was founded in 1994 and focuses on major works in an artist’s personal body of art, works that are innovative, displaying excellence and imagination in quality of idea and execution in contemporary practice.

This is Ranamok’s 18^th year, with Australian and New Zealand glass artists competing for a $15,000 prize. This year’s judging panel comprises Louise Doyle, director of the National Portrait Gallery, Brian Parkes, director of the JamFactory, Adelaide, prize founder Andy Plummer and creative director/producer – events, City of Sydney, Gillian Minervini.

The City of Sydney Ranamok Glass Prize 2012, at the Canberra Glassworks, August 15 -September 13. Opening Wednesday 15 August at 6pm. Gallery floor talk, at 10.30am Saturday, August 18. All welcome.