CRAFT

ALEX UPMARKET

The Alex Arts and Crafts Upmarket is normally held on the last Sunday of the month in the plane tree avenue of Alexandra Park, off Commercial Road in Pietermaritzburg, from 09h00 to 16h00. This month's market to take place on March 30 will be an Easter Market.

More than 150 stalls offer a wide variety of home crafts as well as factory goods. Whatever the weather the market's "on".

Phone (0331) 45-0122.

CAMP'S DRIFT MARKET

The regular Camp's Drift Craft and Fleamarket is situated on the banks of the Duzi River and takes place on March 2, 16 and 30 from 08h30 to 16h00.

Contact Erna Aken on (0331) 45-479 or Jackie Webb (0331) 61313 (a/h).

STABLE CRAFT

The new Stables Craft Market is proving a real hit. Housed in the Newmarket Stables near Kingspark it trades every Wednesday and Friday evening from 18h00 to 22h00.

There is also a market on the first Sunday of every month (March 2 and April 6) from 12h00 until 18h00 but it is hopes that trading will extend to every Sunday afternoon.

There's a good range of art and crafts - from the elegant to the homely with prices to suit all pockets. The wide variety includes ingenious ceramics, elegant ottomans, Indonesian prints, enamelled wooden jewellery boxes and aromatherapy candles. There are food stalls, bar areas and live entertainment.

Take NMR Drive, turn left in Goble Road and left again into Jacko Jackson Drive. There are car guards on duty to watch over your vehicle.

Phone Barry Solomon on 23-37 (o), 29-1242 (h) or 083 252-3576 for details.

WALFORD WEEKEND

Andrew Walford's Shongweni Studio will be open over the Easter weekend from March 28 to March 31 from 10h00 to 18h00.

Andrew's open days are always well supported. There is a wide range of ceramic work available for sale, from his superbly-crafted large pots and tiles to the `seconds' bazaar. Visitors can enjoy tea and hot cross buns on the lawns with their superb view of Shongweni Dam.

Take the Shongweni exit off the N3 (exit 32). Follow signs to Shongweni Station for 8 kms. Phone 769-1363 for details.

MIDLANDS MEANDER

The Midlands Meander is a comprehen-sive and well-organised craft route and it's worth taking time out one weekend to have a comfortable drive around.

VITA CRAFT NOW

The 1997 FNB Vita Craft Now Exhibi-tion, organised in association with the Crafts Council of South Africa, opens on March 2 as part of African Window at the National History Museum, Pretoria.

The panellists who selected over 300 pieces were well-known sculptor Peter Schutz who is a lecturer in fine arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, architect Professor Rodney Harber who is greatly interested in craft and is the co-organiser of an African exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, and Palasa Moahlolo, director of the Mmabana Culture Centre in Thaba Nchu.

SHOWCASING

This important exhibition, showcasing the best of South African craft drawn from all over the country, will join the South African Tourism Board's marke-ting campaign for the next three years. This includes such exhibitions as Reach for the Stars, The Rainbow Collection, Access to Power, The World of the Museum and Peoples Choice-Making Music.

FNB Vita Craft Now will feature a wide range of works including clay, fibre, wood, glass, metal and synthetics to promote public interest and appreciation of the various areas of the crafts.

ARTISTS

Artists whose work will be on display include Fiona Kirkwood, a fibre artist from Durban now working with wood; KZN's potter and FNB Vita Craft Now 1995 award winner Nesta Nala and her daughter, Zanele; Venda potter Rebecca Matibe and Eliot Mkhize, probably the best telephone wire basket maker in South Africa.

Also featured are Bonnie Ntshalinsthali from Ardmore Studios, a ceramist and ceramic sculptor who represented South Africa on the Venice Bienele, and potter Digby Hoets who is well known for his massive stoneware jars.

The FNB Vita Craft Now exhibition will run until April 16.

WATAMU CRAFT

From March 17 to 21, Watamu Craft Open Days will be held at 37 Alamein Avenue in Kloof from 09h00 to 12h00.

A treasure trove of local crafted work is promised, including unique and unusual household accessories, Easter trivia, decoupage, porcelain and ceramics. Also on offer will be flower-filled baskets, fresh herbs, linen and lace, teddies and clothing for children .. and more!

Phone Gail Denny on 764-0031.

Africa Gallery pic