Deadline: March 31,
2017
A prestigious national craft competition will give South
African crafters a wonderful opportunity to showcase their work this year.
South African artist and curator of the Innibos National
Arts Festival, John Anthony Boerma, says the awards will give South Africa’s
world-class crafters an opportunity to reveal the excellence of their skills.
Organised by the creative team that conceived, and for over
10 years has presented the Innibos National Arts Festival, the craft awards
will pull together a diverse range of judges who all have one thing in common –
a passion for developing South Africa’s creative talent.
These industry giants will use their years of experience to
select from among the entries a collection of works that any international
gallery would be glad to house.
Entries – consisting of photo submissions - close at the end
of March 2017. John Anthony explains that the panel of judges will then select
the best entries to be exhibited at the Innibos National Arts Festival to be
held in the Lowveld capital of Mbombela in July 2017.
The winners will be announced at a glittering awards
evening. The winner of the Platinum Award will receive R50,000, the Gold Award
winner will pocket R30,000 and the Silver R15,000. There will also be merit
awards for the Best Emerging Craftsmen, along with sound financial advice to
grow their business. In addition, a Craft Retail Apprenticeship with Tourvest
Destination Retail will be bestowed on one of the winners.
Craftsmen who marry their cultural heritage with
contemporary sophistication and technical skill to create unique and
unforgettable works of art, will be recognised. Entries in the disciplines of
ceramics, beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and
printing, quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media are
invited.
John Anthony and Jan Bhuda, partners in Art Aid Africa, a
company that assists in empowering skilled crafters, artists and educators, are
excited about the potential of the awards to foster growth and commercial
strength in the crafts industry in South Africa.
“It is important that an awareness of this wide and eclectic
form of artistic expression is raised. The time has come for South African
craftsmen to fully and freely express themselves,” says John Anthony.
“Innibos aims to create a platform for the development and
enjoyment of all genres of art, so the National Craft Awards is a natural
evolution of Innibos, which is synonymous with celebrating South African
talent,” says Sandra Jacobs, one of the founders of the Innibos National Arts
Festival.
Crafters wanting to enter need only send a photo of their
craft work to Jan Bhuda on 083 719 1731, along with their name and surname. To
give judges an idea of the size of the work, place a standard matchbox next to
your creation when taking the photo. Photos may also be emailed to John Anthony
Boerma at artaid@lantic.net
The judges include Joseph Mathe (National Department of Arts
and Culture: Responsible for the development of crafts), Thabo Manetsi
(Director: Western and Northern Cape provinces – Leading in Heritage
Development), Dawn Robertson (ceramists and CEO, Constitution Hill), Wendy
Goldblatt (internationally-known ceramist; Ceramics SA founder; Craft Council
of South Africa founder); Fran Stewart (Cape Craft + Design Institute’s Market
Support Programme Manager); Laurette van Zyl (product developer), and artist
Anna Mahlangu.
They will be complemented by another six judges who have
extensive experience in craft retail. These judges are Kim Sacks (Kim Sacks
Gallery is one of the foremost ceramic and African art galleries in SA), Judy
Dlamini (businesswoman and partner in Luminance which provides a commercial
platform for local crafters), Maureen Waldeck (Brand Manager for Tourvest
Destination Retail’s stores and retail brands and a seasoned retailer with an
exceptional eye for merchandise), Margaret Woermann (founder of Heartworks,
which sells special handmade South African items), Margie Murgatroyd (Africa
Nova, finely curated African art, textiles, tribal artefacts, ceramics,
jewellery and basketry), Willem Boshoff (one of South Africa’s foremost
contemporary artists), Oresti Mavrodaris (designer, Elegance Jewellers, Melrose
Arch), and Harrie Siertsema (Delagoa Trading, collector and art patron).
For information, contact Jan Bhuda on 083 719 1731 or e-mail
John Anthony Boerma at artaid@lantic.net
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