EMMA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP EXHIBITION

Durban University of Technology hosts Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award 2009.

Since 1920, the Durban University of Technology (then Technikon Natal) has been running the Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award Competition for the Arts and Design Faculty. Over 88 winners have received funds for an opportunity to continue their overseas study. However, with the current exchange rate, the funds awarded could no longer afford recipients to travel for overseas studies but winners now have the opportunity to use these funds to engage in a variety of activities that they propose. Such activities involve community-based workshops, further study in South Africa or the African continent, internships or projects that further their chosen practices or solo exhibitions.

Participating in this year’s competition are Zanale Ncane and Charles McCarthy-Dale (Fashion Design & Textiles); Lusanda Mgugudo and Christy-Anne Bestwick (Jewellery Design); Nicole Erasmus and Amy-Jo Windt (Fine Art); Luke Roy Cannon and Kevin Goss-Ross (Graphic Design) and Rob Garret (Interior Design).

The prize up for grabs is R60,000. The 10 candidates have to prepare an exhibition presentation at the gallery and are interviewed during the day by a panel of judges comprising industry experts representing the different courses as well as the executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, the Gallery curator and last year’s winner.

“This is the faculty’s most prestigious competition that gives an opportunity to a well-deserving student and DUT is very proud to have the honour of caring out this bequest that was given by the Honourable C G Smith in memory of his mother, Emma Smith,” says DUT Gallery curator Nontobeko Mabongi Ntombela.

The exhibition will remain up until 12h00 on November 30 for public viewing. Entrance is free and visitors are welcome to view the exhibition during the gallery hours Monday to Friday (08h00 to 16h00). The gallery will also be opened on Saturdays from 09h00 to 11h00 as part of the VANSA and Ethekwini municipality Arts Bus initiative and the public is welcome to view the exhibition during this time.

For more information contact the gallery on 031 373 2207/2962 or email nontobekon@dut.ac.za