Arts group expands, plans to form NPO
The Mossel Bay Visual Arts Group, which was formed last year, is growing in leaps and bounds and plans to form a nonprofit organisation.
The group was formed at the time of the Mossel Bay Arts Festival. It started as a WhatsApp group of a handful of artists and those interested in art or art businesses.
Roles on the group have been formalised. Maresna van Schoor is the executive chair; Riska du Plessis has the responsibility of marketing and communications; and Marguerite Hartzenberg offers support and data.
The most recent meeting of the group took place on 6 April at the Umhlaba Pottery premises owned by Vicky-Lyn Keet in central Mossel Bay.
Mossel Bay Arts Festival
The group is starting to plan for the Mossel Bay Arts Festival, taking place from 24 August to 24 September.
It is planned to decorate trees by wrapping fabric around them to indicate premises where exhibitions are taking place during the arts festival.
The reason for this is so that it will be clear to the public where exhibitions or art workshops are taking place in town. Permission from the municipality to wrap trees was already given for the arts festival last year.
Spokesperson for the group, Du Plessis, said it was decided members would pay R300 a year as a membership fee.
Members are entitled to 10% discounts at the Artsavingsclub shop in George. Artsavingsclubs sell fine art materials.
Like last year, an exhibition called Synergy will be held as part of the arts festival this year. Last year it was held in the NG Moedergemeente church hall in Church Street and was extremely well attended.
About 30 artists exhibited their work. Businesses and individuals are invited to become sponsors of the exhibition.
The benefit of being part of the Visual Arts Group is that you can advertise your art, workshops or products on the WhatsApp group. Artists support one another, share information and tips and give advice to one another.
Art walk
Mossel Bay has its own art walk, which is marketed at Tourism Mossel Bay in Market Street. There is a printed map available there. The walk comprises a few galleries in town.
The next outing of the Mossel Bay Visual Arts Group will be to do this walk through town. The map can also be downloaded. See www.mosselbayartwalk.co.za.
The walk will take place at 09:30 on 18 May from the Town's House in Market Street, Mossel Bay.
For more information on the arts group or to sponsor exhibitions, contact Du Plessis (073 909 6558).