GEORGE NEWS - It was a proud moment for the team of the Wilderness Art Festival when they finally handed over the proceeds from the Night of 1 000 Drawings to a worthy cause.
The festival team starts working early in the year, collecting art doodles from various artists, including contributions from master artists.
These doodles are sold during the festival, which takes place every October and forms part of their annual community upliftment project.
The Views Boutique Hotel and Spa, the sponsor of this year’s event, hosted the handover ceremony on Friday 24 October. The occasion celebrated creative effort and community care in style. The event was beautifully captured by Ferdie Muller Photography, and the proceeds (minus 10%, which goes to the Night of 1 000 Drawings organisation) were presented to the Seven Passes Initiative, a local NPO that has been working since 2008 to prevent violence and create educational opportunities for the youth in Touwsranten and Hoekwil. A cheque for R30 330 was presented in support of this dynamic cause.
The handover ceremony: Biance Ralph, Caroll Caddick, Michelle Hingle, Carole Durrant, Roslynn Damon and Desiree Muller. Photo: Ferdie Muller Photography
Unfortunately, the Night of 1 000 Drawings did not come without its challenges. It was reported that during the festival, an estimated 20% of the artworks were stolen by patrons visiting the exhibition. Carole Durrant, organiser of the Wilderness Art Festival, expressed her disappointment that some attendees felt entitled to take some of these artworks - some walking out with stacks of doodles despite several security measures in place. “This event is supported and completed from a place of love and care for the community,” said Durrant. “Artists put effort into making the doodles sellable and worthy. This is the lowest form of thievery; even worse, it is theft from charity.”
Stealing the doodles quite literally robs the community of an opportunity for upliftment, but this will not deter the team. The event remains well supported and loved by the community, and with greater awareness, festival-goers may help protect and preserve this initiative that brings art and compassion together. Durrant also wanted make special mention of Caroll Caddick, who is the driver behind Night of 1 000 Drawings.
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