George Herald | Art awards for children just one way to promote arts

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Art awards for children just one way to promote arts
13:14 (GMT+2), Tue, 10 July 2012

Local art organisation Scava has launched an art competition for school children, in conjunction with Tony Noble, an art teacher at Denneoord Primary School.

SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - Tony Noble, an art teacher at Denneoord Primary School in George, in conjunction with the local art club, has instigated awards for school learners.

The South Cape Association for Visual Arts (SCAVA) has now taken this on board as a project, and will have a full programme of work by Easter 2013.

Ken Smith, Chairman of SCAVA announced this week that the organisation is going full steam ahead with implementing plans for giving local artists to market themselves as much as possible.

One event that will be supported is the forthcoming Crouse Gallery Heart Beat Exhibition at the Garden Route Mall, George, from 11 to 14 October. Currently 42 of Scava's 105 members are exhibiting at the South Cape's Winter Exhibition which is on at Strydom Art Gallery.

Smith added, "Libraries provide facilities for local arts and in particular a pre-Easter Arts Fair in George is now entering its third year.

No easy passage
"Professional artists have few local openings for their work and prices, are low compared with 'recognised city art locations.' A vast number of artists have to earn a living outside of art, and to apply themselves only part time to their real desires and passions. Many may be forced to produce 'pot boiler' works that they know will sell. There's nothing new in that. Few of us have an easy passage through life and many have to strive to succeed.

Left in the cold
"Visual Art in particular is left out in the cold and many school learners are given little creative or artistic encouragement. The opportunities for an endless list of - budding architects, fashion designers, town planners, designers, illustrators, sculptors which are all poorly supported."

Put on the map
But there is reason for being optimistic said Smith. "Three cheers for the music societies, childrens choirs, and the Arts Theatre (George), the floral clubs and many small art groups that are becoming more noticed within our communities. Congratulations to all those organising fairs and markets for they are now providing outlets for the visual arts. Let us encourage and support these ventures.

"The KKNK festival pre-Easter each year in Oudsthoorn is well established and each of us can name other town festivals that draw good crowds, but should we not have ongoing festivals throughout the year in all our major towns/cities? Maybe with greater effort we can get on the Arts Map of South Africa.

New organisation
"The formation of George Cultutre Link (GCL) at the start of George 200, is an encouraging development and calls for all of us, both individually and at club level to support Pieter Pepler and his team in GCL. The message seems to be clear; let us all work together to get the South Cape recognised as a destination for finding good art. Let us organise greater numbers of art fairs, with many different arts organisations working together," explained Smith.

George Artists Club has reformed as SCAVA and is now a branch of the South African Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA) with International links, providing greater opportunities for local artists. It aims at closer activities with Culture Link, galleries, schools and other arts organisations as well as providing direct exhibition facilities for its members.
"By joining and giving support to your local art club everyone in the South Cape will benefit - including school learners to retired pensioners, and hopefully we shall see famous artists emerge from our midst.

Join up
"If you are passionate about visual arts you should consider - for the annual cost of a few cups of coffee - joining as many arts clubs and societies as you can afford. Just get involved," urged Smith. "Let us show the world that South Cape here in South Africa is the place to be." Smith can be reached at 044 874 4878.