Contemporary oil painter Wendy Potgieter in her home studio. She is among the artists who will be participating in this year’s Noordhoek Open Studios on Friday and Saturday.
The public will have a chance this Friday and Saturday to peek into the creative inner sanctums of more than 20 artists during the annual Noordhoek Open Studios.
It’s a unique opportunity to meet the artist behind the art, according to organiser Aimee Kruger, herself an artist.
Wendy Potgieter, a contemporary oil painter who is participating for the first time, said: “My art is very much a part and reflection of me, as is my home. The space I work in and create my art draws from the energy in my surroundings, which includes hiking and cycling in the mountains and walking and swimming on Noordhoek Beach.”
Proceeds from the event support MasiSports, a non-profit company that runs a sports and life-skills programme at Ukhanyo Primary and Masiphumelele High schools.
MasiSport founder Vince van der Bijl credited the partnership with Noordhoek Open Studios with the establishment of an art club at Ukhanyo Primary.
“The presence of a Grade 3 educator with a degree in fine arts, Lubah Pita, has made her an automatic art teacher at the school, and the club has since grown to include 40 promising young artists, becoming stronger with each passing week,” he said.
Ms Kruger said proceeds from ticket sales over the past two years had seen more than R40 000 donated to the school’s art programme.
“Both sport and art have the ability to change lives for the better. This is our opportunity as artists to support our community. If opening our studios can help make a difference to these children’s lives, then we are only too happy to be a part of this special journey for them,” she said.
The studios will be signposted and are open from 10am to 4pm. Maps can be collected from Noordhoek Art Point Gallery on Noordhoek Main Road or found online. A day pass costs R100, a weekend pass R150, or pay R20 per studio. There are pensioner specials and entry is free for under-18s.