Art festival opens after lockdown
THE 58th Art in the Park will be hosted from today at the Natal Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg.
The Publicity Association, predecessor of Pietermaritzburg Tourism, founded the outdoor art-selling exhibition called Art in the Park in 1962.
Director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism Dumisani Mhlongo said: “The Art in the Park festival plays an important role in the lives of many local artists. One of the objectives is to expose the artists that would otherwise never have the opportunity. Many artists can testify to our efforts in this regard.”
The festival is making a return after the two-year lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute and the National Botanical Gardens said they were was excited to host the event. They said the garden had prepared its infrastructure to welcome the influx of visitors who would attend the event on four consecutive days.
“We have enough capacity to support all the activities taking place during the event. We feel this event couldn’t have come at a better time, when people need activities that can reconnect them with families and friends.”
While the festival will be hosted at Plane Tree Avenue, they urged guests to enjoy both man-made art and the manicured gardens.
Kevin Palium, CEO of Creative Arts College, said: “The Art in the Park 2022 is the ‘Chicken Soup’ for Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal at large.”
Tickets can be purchased at the venue or from the PMB Tourism office. For more information call 033 345 0641 or visit the website www.pmbtourism.co.za
Art in the Park will be on from today until May 2 at the National Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg.