ArtsPage 24 July 2009 Workshops, whales, arts and craft

If you want colour in your life and have a free day on Wednesday next week, 29th July, then you will not want to miss the full-day art workshop being presented by the inimitable Neville Hickman at Gansbaai. Neville is an old friend of ArtsPage, in fact he was the first gallerist to identify totally with its aims and the vision of Hermanus as Art Destination. Designer of that magic Whale Fest logo, a composite jester’s cap and whale tail which served for several years to brighten up our Septembers, Neville shared a studio in one of the Godfrey Cottages on the seafront. He’s still close to the sea at the 5 star Klein Paradijs Guest Farm where he is Resident Artist but his workshop will be at Paul Pretorius Décor emporium in Dirkie Uys Street, Gansbaai.



Neville says “If you want to paint ‘ lekker los en vry’, exuberantly in bright, vibrant colours, to use music as an aid to make you fly, whether you are beginner or experienced artist, come!” The cost is just R100 and you can reserve your place and get more detail from Paul 079 020 8295 or Neville on 083 961 9931. If you want to get your mojo working, try some new techniques and maybe pick up some tips, this workshop promises to be casual and relaxed as well as instructive. Take your own art materials if you wish to participate to the full.

Arts and Craft
The line is so tenuous; those who know can argue for hours on definitions; what is art, what is craft? And does it matter? In the end you will just have to decide for yourself. Have a look at Wilina Drijfhout’s stained glass on her new website www.glasfeetjie.com. Or visit Lara Levey at Mila Mosaics in the newly-opened “passage” (that must be pronounced the French way) from High Street to the backdoor of Chilli Pepper. We had a buzzing, candle-lit party a week or two ago to launch the venue. There is a competition to choose the name and I am fully expecting to win the prize which is, I understand, some bottles of premium Port. Just right for the colder weather.
One of the shoplets in the quaint passage is a mini-gallery showing superb whale studies. The photographer is Dave De Beer who is also known for his wildlife and bird prints.

Kalfiefees
Supported by this newspaper, the Kalfiefees, (the annual dramatic challenge by Onrus to big brother Hermanus’s Whale Festival) is on from Thursday 6thAugust to Sunday 9th. Even if your Afrikaans is rudimentary, you will enjoy the music offerings and there is comedy - Tickle to Fine Leg, and drama/humour - David Butler giving us some authentic Herman Charles Bosman, both in English. I have not had news of fine arts exhibitions but The Mission’s House gallery in De Villiers Street always mounts a special show at Fees time.

Do keep your news and comments coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.

SKETCH - GALLERY LA MAREY

It was exciting, in May, to see a glossy new gallery opening in Marine Square on Mitchell Street. Now owners Rey and Marie Muller are getting ready for their official launch, by invitation only, in a week or two. Chatting to Rey, who has a background in broadcasting, I learned that they are no strangers to the art world, having a similarly-named gallery in Somerset West and one opening shortly in the Strand (where they previously were for seven years.) The picture they sent me for this sketch is a work in oils by Olga Hoffman entitled “Blouberg”.



Hoffman is part of a line-up of artists which La Marey represents, including Anna, Elzette Welgemoed, Janette Dykman, Tersia Duvenhage and Paul Schone. Paul will be at the gallery on Saturday 8th August to give a demonstration of his painting. In addition to works by the named artists, the gallery has a range of art not usually seen in Hermanus and they are proud of their bronzes by Gary Gordon and Xhanti Mpakama. There is a comprehensive offering of frames and also selected antiques to complement the art works. New local artists are not being overlooked; conscious that our Overberg artscene is vibrant, they plan to make space for artists whose work meets their criteria.

While either Marie or Rey will be on hand four days a week in peak season, the gallery will be staffed by Maryn who has retail experience in addition to a fine art training and Gamene who has also been involved in tourist accommodation and guest houses. They believe that their gallery and other new ones will help Hermanus on its way to achieving a similar status to Clarens in the Free State which tourists visit with art in mind. And the tourists are on their way, says Rey. “The World Cup will offer an even bigger slice of the pie with every tourist that lands in Cape Town, visiting Hermanus.”