Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Art NPO opens new vistas for Cape Flats youth
THE ART4LIFE Therapy non-profit organisation exhibited its work at Love is Burgers in the Cape Town CBD on Thursday to raise funds to support its creative lessons.
It was invited to be part of First Thursday, where artists who make an impact in their communities are offered a spot to sell their creations and network. Kenneth Alexander, from Grassy Park, said this would boost their programme, as the NPO is self-funded and relies on casual donations by a few who have noted the impact it has on the lives of Cape Flats youths.
He voluntarily teaches youth acrylic painting on canvas, oil painting for outdoor wall murals, as well as sketching, and hosts monthly outings to parks and museums, and arranges hiking and other activities.
“It’s not easy to get these kinds of opportunities. Only a few people support our cause. All the proceeds from this exhibition will help to buy the material and feed our participants and, hopefully, be enough to help us organise an outing soon.
“The focus is not just on producing artists, but a balanced and mentally and socially groomed being with an open mind to what the world has to offer. You know on their first task they had to draw their role models. Some drew known gangsters, guys with fancy cars, because that’s all they see as success and an inspiration.
“These are children who some of them never get the opportunity to go out of their community or be in a proper part or visit fun places. We take them out on some Saturdays to go draw from different parks where we have disciplinary talks to promote behavioural change and instil a positive mindset,” Alexander said.
“It was difficult to keep up with the numbers as we see growth from each community. The money to buy the brushes, paints, pencil and sketch papers came from my pocket, wife’s and my in-laws. I appreciate platforms like these,” he said.
Love is Burgers’ public relations officer Elizabeth Ribeiro said the business is family-run and has a strong background in and passion for art. They understand the challenges faced by local artists and have decided to offer their space once a month to those who contribute to community upliftment. She said they recently found out about Art4Life and were impressed by the impact it was making in the lives of disadvantaged children.
“We invited them to be part of the fund-raising and our clients are very supportive. While we’re helping with the marketing as part of the First Thursdays and run the fund-raisers, we let them sell their work and keep all the proceeds on the day as well.”
Art4Life co-founder and event organiser Kyle Cupido said their programmes act as therapy to get youths’ focus “away from social ills such as poverty, abuse, possible substance abuse and joining a gang”.
“That’s the outreach element we saw the need for.”