Art for Conservation: The Wildlands Conservation Trust will be hosting an art exhibition at the Mandela Capture site in the Midlands from 20 November until 15 December featuring top local artists and crafters.
The Wildlands Conservation Trust is a dynamic non-profit organisation whose vision “A Sustainable Future for All” is inspired by one of the greatest Statesman of our time, Nelson Mandela, whose vision of – Freedom for All – was regarded by many as unobtainable, yet inspired the transformation of South Africa. This makes the Nelson Mandela Capture Site the perfect venue for Wildlands ‘Art for Conservation Exhibition,’ which was launched yesterday in an inspirational opening ceremony.
“This venue in the Midlands offers a one of a kind iconic sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli depicting a three dimensional view of Mandela’s face made from 50 vertical steel columns, and an informative exhibition specific to the life of Mandela,” commented Wildlands CEO Dr Andrew Venter. “From 20 November to 15 December art from top local artists and crafters will be exhibited, and a percentage of the sales will contribute towards the conservation efforts of the Wildlands Conservation Trust,” he explained.
“Special thanks must go to our key partners around this event including Bonitas Medical Fund, The Sunday Tribune and eThekwini Community Foundation (eCF),” said Venter.
The eCF is a proactive, results-driven, and forward-thinking, not-for-profit public benefit organisation strategically aligned to the eThekwini Municipality whose mission is interfacing people – projects – the planet. ECF discover and create innovative projects that promote collaboration, job creation, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. The eCF project managed a hugely-successful partnership earlier this year around a unique Rhino Parade rhino called Yenza. Wildlands and the crafters of eCF see many more collaborative efforts in the future.
The public can look forward to an exhibition featuring phenomenal work representing a full spectrum of arts and crafts. Craft and design organisations, all of whom specialise in community development and up-cycling, include Robin Opperman and Jackie Sewpersad from Umcebo Design;
Magda van der Vloed and her crafters who work in mixed media, and the team from Community resource Centre, Sydenham who work primarily with discarded cool drink bottles.
Individual artists include Anne Cleveland; David Johnson; Everett Duarte; Chrispine Mutsadyanga; Christiane Jamar Varney; Zoe Mair; Jan Kotze; Kathy Jacob; Lieze Meyer; Majorie Jones; Marion Townsend; Maureen Edgcumbe; Mike Nel; Neil Yonker; Sarah Richards; Titia Ballot and Wim Rautenbach.
Wildlands’s Art for Conservation event has run for six years including an Art Exhibition and an Auction Event (the 2012 Gala Dinner and Auction will take place on 29 November at Durban City Hall) with increasing popularity. Furthermore some of the artworks exhibited at the ‘Art for Conservation Exhibition’ have been donated by the artists for the Gala Dinner and Auction, and these will help raise significant funds for Wildlands’ conservation efforts, including their projects focused on fighting the current rhino poaching crisis.
This year Wildlands are adding yet another exciting element to this signature event, namely, the “Wildlands Young Artist of the Year Award.”The competition aims to give young, up and coming artists (in Grade 10, 11 or 12) in KZN an opportunity to showcase their work to the general public and a chance at winning 1stplace (R5000), 2nd place (R2000) or 3rd place (R1000).
The top 10 finalists were announced and congratulated yesterday and include: Christopher Elllis (Hilton College), James Cook (Thomas More College), Sarah Waller (St Anne’s College), Jocelyn Seagreen (St Catherine’s School), Marlowe Brett (Hilton College), Melissa Nzuza (St Catherine’s School) Lebohang Dube (Alexandra High School), Olwethu Mhlongo (Port Shepstone High School), Rebecca Plumbley (Durban Girl’s College) and Upasana Patel (Durban Girl’s High School)…and their work will also be on display at the Art for Conservation Exhibition.
The top three students – James Cook (1st place), Lebohang Dube (2nd place) and Christopher Ellis (3rdplace) – will also be given seats at the exclusive (invite only) Gala Dinner & Auction.
“We hope the public take the time to browse through this exhibition and purchase art that is not only for your visual enjoyment, but for the benefit of helping us build a sustainable future for all. We envision the Nelson Mandela Capture Site as a popular stop-off for tourists, holiday makers and locals during the end of November and December and can promise you the trip will be well worth your while,” concluded Venter.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)