ART SOCIETY AFRICA

A brand new arts group, the Art Society Africa (ASA), will be launched at the end of October in Johannesburg.

At the same time, the Watercolour Society of South Africa will become the Watercolour Society Africa (WSA).

These new developments result from demand from artists who paint in all media for a society offering them the same benefits and recognition as the WSA offers watercolourists.

For about 40 years the Watercolour Society has offered its members a cocktail of artistic benefits including tuition, encouragement, exhibitions in their own gallery, and a system of stepped achievements that artists find challenging and fun. "Thus far," says chairperson Barbara Moore, "these benefits have been enjoyed only by watercolourists, so the ASA is being established to apply these offerings to artists who paint in all media." Artists from other parts of Africa will be welcome to join both societies.

To celebrate the revamped WSA and the new ASA, an exciting all-media weekend is being planned for the end of October. Top artists, both local and international, will be giving demonstrations in various media. The artists are Sue Kemp (oils), Susan Orpen (watermedia), Dave Johnson (pastels), Hazel Soan (watercolours), Lehlogonolo Mashaba (printmaking) and Richard Rennie (watercolours and oils). Peter Hall will give a demo in oil painting and a special lecture "What is Art"? Artworks by these artists will be exhibited for four weeks following the launch weekend.

Artists must book for this talk and the various demos. There will be two sessions a day, each costing R60. The Peter Hall lecture and demo will be a very special one at the very reasonable price of R100. There is already a lot of interest in these events. To add to the fun, a number of lucky draws for art prizes will be held during the two days.

The launch weekend will take place on October 29 and 30 at Manor Gallery, Norscot Centre, Penguin Drive, Fourways, in Johannesburg. More information about the art weekend and the new society on 011 465 7934.