VISUAL ART

VERSTER EXHIBITION

The Durban Art Gallery is acknowled-ging the impressive contribution of artist Andrew Verster to South African art with a retrospective exhibition. Titled Mapping Terra Incognita, it runs at the Durban Art Gallery until September 28.

Andrew Verster is a prolific and highly recognised artist who has exhibited widely both nationally and interna-tionally. He is also an art critic, lecturer and author and has written radio plays which have been produced for the BBC in London as well as having designed backdrops and costumes for numerous theatre productions.

He has collaborated with architects and his designs form an integral part of many buildings. His works are also in the new Hilton Hotel and the ICC Durban.

NB: D'ARTS would like to acknowledge gratefully the help of Maria Criticos and the printing and repro studio, CDR Repro, in producing Andrew's image which appeared on the front cover of the August issue of D'ARTS.

DCP COLLECTION

The DCP Collection at the Durban Centre for Photography Gallery at the NSA Gallery is a group show of local photographers. Included are such familiar names as Val Adamson (see p.1), Angie Buckland, Mark Lanning, Paul Weinberg, Mark Green, and many more.

It covers a variety of genres from landscape to portraiture, documentary to fine art photography and spans the spectrum of moods.

The exhibition runs until September 18.

CALLIGRAPHY GUILD

The next meeting of Durban's popular calligraphy guild will take place on September 10.

Contact Ingrid Lotter on 84-6328.

A-4 ART EXHIBITION

Ningizimu School for SMH (the severely mentally handicapped) will host the 1997 A-4 Art Exhibition in October. The motive is to bring together mainstream and mentally handicapped students as well as other artists in the community.

"Contact of this nature has proved to be a great resource in stimulating the creativity of our students and developing their artistic skills," says Robin Opperman, art teacher at Ningizimu.

For the exhibition items will be shown from workshops held over the past few months. Interested parties are also requested to submit their work on A-4 sized paper. These should be delivered to Ningizimu School by October 6.

After the exhibition, works must be collected from the school on October 27.

Entries can be on any theme and in any medium. The exhibition will be open to the public from October 14 to 19.

"It is hoped that the exhibition, which is now in its second year, will continue to be an annual event and will not only promote art and artists, but also create a better understanding of the mentally handicapped," says Robin.

CHILDREN'S ART

Laura Pretorius in Westville offers children the opportunity to explore their creative potential through art. The project include various techniques and classes cost R95 per month, materials included. Children aged from five to 13 welcome. Contact Laura on 86-6422.

TOUCH SCREEN

The Durban Art Gallery is the first gallery in South Africa to install a `touch screen'. Here information on KZN artists is made readily available such as details of the artworks, the artists' careers and talking images of the artists themselves, making this an interesting and exciting way to gain knowledge about the gallery.

Gone are the old days of hushed voices and boring visits to galleries and museums. The music and images on this very lively screen will attract all visitors and make learning accessible and fun.

The programme was designed by Armadillo, a division of the Orange Juice Design company who designed the gallery posters chosen as the Mail and Guardian's first "Design of the Week".

The Touch Screen is in the reception area on the second floor, City Hall, Smith Street.

ART IN ACTION

PW Story artists suppliers' annual Art in Action takes place in the Green Jacket Room, 5 DLI Avenue, from 09h00 to 20h00 daily on September 12 and 13.

Art in Action offers two days of `artivity' and inspiration for every artist and craftsperson. It is believed to be unique in that the show provides an opportunity for the public to try their hand at something new - be it in the craft or fine art areas. Most exhibitors demonstrate as well as allowing spectators to learn new hints and tips.

There is safe, level parking and refresh-ments and a cash bar are available.

ART BY THE SEA

The open-air art exhibition Art by the Sea takes place on September 14 and 28 at the Old Pavilion Site on the Snell Parade. Proceeds to Durban Child Welfare Society. Contact 23-8743.