Nelson Mandela Bay’s sixth annual Art Meander will give a kaleidoscopic insight into the studios and vision of dozens of artists, both professional and amateur, next weekend.
The idea is for people to buy a map and follow this to the various locations where Bay artists will be displaying and selling their work, giving visitors the chance to meet the artists in their “natural environment”.
The Art Meander – brainchild of Cindy Oberholzer – runs over three days, starting at 1pm on Friday October 26 and continuing to 4pm on Sunday October 28.
“I started this meander to introduce the public to the artists and vice versa. The public get to see the ‘behind the scenes’ of the artists, and learn that there are very real people in nooks and crannies making wonderful art and a living from their creations,” Oberholzer said.
“Hopefully, when you’re in need of a piece of art you will give these artists a thought and support them. I’ve tried to invite and include all artists from all the fields of art, to show that art comes in many forms.”
She thanked Talbot Cox, Brettan Ann Moolman and Monique Maritz in particular for their help as each of the three well-known artists had offered their studios as starting points where maps could be collected.
They can be found at: Werk Building in the Baakens Valley, where Maritz has Angel Wings Ceramics Studio. In addition to ceramics, visitors can also see wood turning by Hennie Odendal and painting by Sonia Strumpfer here. “The whole Werk Building has much to see – so mosey on through the building,” Oberholzer recommends.
Art on Target at 2 Target Kloof in Essexvale, where Moolman will host four studios and five guest artists in residence. The studios are those of Moolman, Jonathan Silverman, Debra de Beer and Magda Minguzzi, and the guest artists in residence will be Lookout Sibanda, Tori Stowe, Stowe and So, the PE Wood Turners Guild and Jessica Staple.Art on Target also will offer the Artist Feature Film Festival each night and run the Wrap Café serving light meals and drinks over the meander weekend.
Periwinkle Studio at 114 Marine Drive in Schoenmakerskop is the home studio of portrait and fine art artist Cox, who works in charcoal, watercolours, pastels and oils. Oberholzer has compiled a 10-page guide to the dozens of artists whose work is on show. She cautioned visitors to read through and plan their trips before setting out as one or two venues would be closed at certain times over the weekend.
The list of addresses will be supplied with the purchase of the Art Meander map, which costs R40.
“I endeavour to have everything run smoothly – however please be patient if there is the odd balls-up!” Oberholzer said.
New destinations are encouraged: “If you are an artist and would like to exhibit next year, let me know – all are welcome”.
Programme times
The Art Meander also has a programme of demonstrations, which are approximately one hour each.
Throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday the following will be running continuously: The Port Elizabeth Wood Turners Guild will be turning their lathe at Art on Target;
The EC Watercolour Association will have a member working on a watercolour painting. The programme for the weekend is as follows:
FRIDAY
3pm, Jacqui Holmes: Creating a pattern and cutting (glass project);
SATURDAY
9.30am, BA Moolman: Colour Mixing;10.30am, Kathy Botha: Motivational talk on The Journey Artist;11.30am, Jacqui Holmes: The Lead Came method; 12.30pm, Talbot Cox: Charcoal Portrait; 2.30pm, Teresa Hardman: Ink and Bleach Painting.
SUNDAY
9.30am, Jessica Staple: Linocut Printmaking;10.30am, Kathy Botha: Motivational Talk – The Journey of an Artist; 11.30am, Jacqui Holmes: Warm glass – moulds and prepping for kiln firing: 12:30pm, Talbot Cox: Charcoal Portrait. Further information from Oberholzer, 078-203-6034, cindy@capecomposite.co.za