New art recognized

The 2011 China New Art Awards will be given out on Saturday at the Times Art Gallery in downtown Beijing.

Carrousel, a group show featuring the paintings of six award-winning artists, as well as the works of 54 other short-listed artists, will be held at the gallery, and run until mid-April.

Instituted in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in 2004, the awards are aimed at promoting young artists, amateur or professional, "who have shown potential in a fulltime painting career", says Wu Jin, founder, organizer and editor-in-chief of Hi Art magazine.

Tracking the trends

The China Collection Express, a weekly newspaper under the Fujian Daily Media Group, launched its Art of Contemporary China magazine in Beijing recently.

The monthly publication will focus on both Chinese ink art,and vanguard art in other mediums, while monitoring the latest trends in the art markets, said editor-in-chief Xu Guangren.

The magazine has also teamed up with the newly established Mingdian Contemporary Art Academy in Beijing to promote local artists by staging exhibitions, popular lectures and academic seminars.

Kids' art contest

The 8th nationwide art contest for children has kicked off in Beijing.

Organizers are calling for calligraphy, paintings and drawings by children both in and outside China. They are also seeking applications from young instrumentalists, singers and dancers.

Language-savvy children may apply for the Happy Frog English Speaking Contest, says Ren Yajing, a key organizer and researcher of children's education in Beijing. The deadline for submissions and applications is May 15. The finals will be held in mid-July in Beijing.

The Best is Yet to Come

International jazz star Laura Fygi has given her debut performance in Beijing, at 798 Art Zone and is geared up for her China tour.

With her new album, The Best is Yet to Come, the Dutch singer, who is known for her soulful renditions of classic ballads, told her fans "you can expect plenty more from me".

Celebrating her 20-year anniversary as a solo artist, Fygi selected a number of tunes by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Julie London, for the new album. She also chose a well-known Chinese song from the 1950s, Rose, Rose, I Love You, and dedicated it to her China fans.