GEORGE NEWS - The Wilderness Art Association (WAA) in collaboration with the Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Children is holding an exhibition, Art of freedom, to raise awareness of the global human trafficking crisis through their art.

Local artists were challenged to create works that will shine the light on the atrocities of human trafficking with selected works to be exhibited at the Wilderness Hotel from 8 to 30 April.

A prize-giving for the best works will be held at the Yellowwood Conference Room of the Wilderness Hotel at 17:00 on Friday 19 April.

"This modern form of slavery taking place in our communities on various scales can be brought into the light of awareness through art," says WAA chairperson Carole Durrant.

"Communities may become empowered through this awareness and education. This is our inspiration and mission to make a stand against the exploitation of the most vulnerable in society. We are taking a stand and saying, 'Not in my community, not in my town, not in my country!'"

She says the collection will be kept until the Wilderness Art Festival in October, with the artists' permission. "We will then sell the works with 10% of the proceeds going to the Pink Ladies Organisation."

There is also a school competition for some 200 schools in the Eden district. "Through the children participating, awareness is brought directly to them.

There will be high school and primary school categories. These will also be exhibited at the Wilderness Art Festival and winners will be announced on 19 October," says Durrant. 

The festival will take place from 17 to 20 October.

Not an urban legend

Human trafficking is not an urban legend. In fact, it is very real and it happens in George. As this article was written, our news editor and journalist Kristy Kolberg, is covering a court case wherein a woman from a decent part of George, was arrested on charges of human trafficking. 

Two young Nigerian girls were rescued. 

Click here to read more about this. In recent months Kolberg has also written articles about numerous arrests involving child pornography. 

Kala Combrinck's painting 'Fenced not forgotten' is among the works that can be seen in the 'Art of freedom' exhibition in Wilderness.

Reunion focus by Dragon Rose.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’