Dale Copeland, Taranaki, MNZM, for services to the arts
Ms Dale Copeland is a Taranaki artist, bookbinder and publisher who for many years has energetically worked to raise the profile of art in Taranaki, as well as nationally and internationally. In 2002 she was a founding member of the Taranaki Community Arts Forum, which later became the Taranaki Arts Community Trust. She worked to create the Real Tart (Taranaki Art) Gallery, which is now run by the trust, and is a dynamic and thriving gallery. She founded the highly important and influential Taranaki Art website, Virtual Tart (Virtual Taranaki Artists). She runs the International Collage Exhibition and Exchange. She established the Cities-of-Art International Accord. She is an accomplished artist in her own right. Her assemblage art, book binding and publishing are sought after. She has exhibited widely in New Zealand and internationally. Ms Copeland has been a finalist in the annual Wallace Art Awards a number of times.