NASHUA ART IN THE PARK

2009 version of the country’s largest outdoor art selling exhibition from May 27 to 31

The 2009 version of the country’s largest outdoor art selling exhibition – Nashua Art in the Park - boasts a truly national, and indeed international, character with artists from six provinces and four SADC countries participating.

This year’s exhibition from May 27 to 31 will feature 55 artists chosen by a selection committee that turned away close to a 100 artists in a stringent validation of entries. Staged under a grove of London Plane trees on the banks of the Msunduzi River in Alexandra Park, the 47th edition is represented by artists from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Free State, and north of our borders, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The representative mix is attributed to several factors, not least the picturesque venue and legendary ambience wrought by the splendour of autumn, fires at night, sherry and an inventive entertainment programme.

Possibly more significant is the commercial imperatives of the event that last year saw a fifth consecutive sales record being established.

Whether the Pietermaritzburg Tourism organisers will top last year’s R2,3 million remains to be seen in view of the current economic circumstances. But Pietermaritzburg Tourism director Melanie Veness is upbeat and believes that the scope and quality of work on show will be a huge drawing card. “Nashua Art in the Park has matured into one of the country’s premier selling exhibits, and we’re confident that the sales realised this year will be a very good reflection of the art on show,” she said.

This year’s event features no less than 21 new artists, including a strong developmental component that will exhibit the work of seven emerging artists, according to Veness. “To give new artists more opportunity, we decided this year to broaden the scope by selecting the work of seven artists under the development banner,” she added.

Another highlight is the participation of Ixopo-based painter Mat Louwrens who is exhibiting for an unprecedented 30th year. Renowned for his work in acrylic, oil and watercolours, Mat has attained international recognition for his unique paintings done in sand.

An extensive programme of music throughout the exhibition, and catering by the Nederduitsch Hervormde Gemeente will add to the bonhomie.

A nominal R10 entrance fee will be levied with children under 12 allowed in free.

Plenty of free parking will be available in Kershaw Park. Visitors are also urged to make use of the parking entered via Alan Paton Avenue, and to use the historic O’Brien footbridge for pedestrian access. No pets, except guide dogs, will be allowed into the exhibition but prior arrangement must be made with the organisers.

The exhibition is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10h00 to 20h00 (Sunday 09h00 to 16h00). More information from Pietermaritzburg Tourism on 033 345 1348.