FROM pencils to charcoal, pastels and beads, the African Art Centre opens a new exhibition featuring up-and-coming artists who hope to imprint their name on the art market.
Nearly 30 artists from the centre’s Velobala programme will showcase their work from this Thursday at the centre’s new premises at 15 Station Drive, just off Umgeni Road.
Centre director Magdalene Reddy said: “The Velobala programme is an African Art Centre Development project that offers formal art classes to young talented black artists who do not have the financial means to enroll for tertiary-level art training. Over a period of 10 months the programme saw the development of 28 aspiring artists.”
Come this Thursday, February 1, the students will be able to show off the artworks they have created over the past few months.
For 22-year-old Lindokuhle Ngcobo, of Ndwedwe, learning bits of art over the years since leaving matric has helped him reach this point.
“I was excited to be part of the project. I went to the Bat Centre and did a one-day course in basic art. My mentor at the time was very happy with my still-life drawings. I then worked at a textiles printing company and then I got involved with Velobala. I know this is what I want to be doing in future. I want to be a top selling artist and learn the business aspects of art,” he said.
Ande Magoso, 21, of Kwangcolosi, near Hillcrest, however, wants to learn how to combine IT and art. He is presently putting himself through a course in IT, but in future hopes that IT will only be his “Plan B”.
“I love art more, but I decided that studying art full time was not for me and I could do it on the side while I studied for another career. Maybe someday I will combine the two,” he said.
Another artist, 25-year-old Lungisani Ndlovu from Kwandegezi, also said that he was finding his way in the art world.
“I started sketching while in primary school. I did not finish my secondary school. I am working hard for art to be my full time career,” he said.
The Velobala 2017 exhibition at the African Art Centre will be open from Thursday, February 1. Individuals interested in applying for the 2018 Velobala Development Programme can contact the African Art Centre on 031 303 4634 or email [email protected]
Deadline for applications is January 29.