The Open Studios event in Noordhoek, Western Cape, draws in curious art lovers who enjoy watching artists at work all while raising funds for charity.
Noordhoek, South Africa (04 April 2022) – Calling all art lovers and aspiring artists, it’s almost time again for the annual Noordhoek Open Studios! From the 8th to the 10th of April, members of the public can visit local artists in their home studios to see their work and purchase pieces.
“We are very excited to have 23 artists on board with our Open Studios this year,” says organiser and artist, Aimee Kruger. “This year we have a lovely variety of mixed art mediums from sculpture, pottery, paintings, photography, to bonsais, catering for all tastes!”
The 2022 Noordhoek Open Studios event has included an additional day, especially for those moms and dads who would like to see the works of art whilst their kids are at school. Starting on Friday the 8th of April through to Sunday the 10th of April, each of the home studios will be open from 10 am to 4 pm each day.
Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Noordhoek Art Point Gallery, behind the now well-known smartie wall on Noordhoek Main Road, to see the collaborative piece worked on by 13 of the artists. This piece will be auctioned via a silent auction, with all proceeds being donated to MasiSports.
Artist Credit: Alison Faraday
Artist Credit: Nola Muller
The Noordhoek Open Studios has once again teamed up with MasiSports as their charity organisation. All proceeds from the sale of tickets to visit the various studios will be donated to MasiSports to help them to continue the incredible work they are doing at Ukhanyo Primary School.
“Last year we were able to donate R20 000.00 to MasiSports!” says Aimee. “Sport has the ability to change lives for the better, Ukhanyo have seen a remarkable improvement in the learner’s grades, time keeping and overall self-discipline since starting on the sports programme! If opening our studios can help make a difference to these children’s lives, then we are only too happy to be a part of this special journey for them.”
MasiSports was launched in 2017 when Ukhanyo Primary School had only one sport and physical training coach, one netball court and a short sprint track, no school kit or proper equipment, and only netball teams played inter-school matches.
Today, all 2000 learners have a PT lesson once a week. There are currently 19 coaches for the school’s 19 teams, playing official school matches in a school-branded kit. Netball, cricket, rugby, soccer, cycling, basketball, athletics, and chess thrive. They can even host sports days with other schools at their facilities, thanks to the investment made by donors.
The school grounds are a frenzy of happy activity after school as boys and girls participate in various sports. Overseeing the activities is a squad of coaches, who also act as mentors and life coaches.
Key to this transformation has been the work of MasiSports, along with NGO partner Masicorp; life-skills partner Coolplay; and cycling partners CTCT, BenBike, PedalPower and Qhubeka. The project also extends to Masiphumelele High School, where two netball courts were constructed, and netball, soccer, chess, rugby and cycling were introduced.
Cricket legend Vince van der Bijl is the driving force behind MasiSports’ work at the school. Over the past five years, he has worked closely with Ukhanyo to ensure that its children have improved access to both of these.
“Sport and life skills have been a game changer. MasiSports has enabled the school’s sports dream. The learners who are involved in sport have improved their marks, time-keeping and discipline are enhanced and litter at the school has miraculously disappeared!”
“Others now see us as a school of choice, with excellence at the centre. The list of social ills in this area goes on and on, but parents tell me that children don’t want to miss sports.” – Michael Tyhali, Ukhanyo Primary School Headmaster.
To support this initiative and take a peek into the artist studios, you can get your tickets and maps from Noordhoek Art Point or online. The studios are open each day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The studios are well signposted, and maps can be collected from Noordhoek Art Point or found online. To find out how to donate to MasiSports, visit www.masisports.co.za.
Artist Credit: Francoise Viglietti
Artist Credit: Aimee Kruger
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