Craft

CLAY FESTIVAL

The Association of Potters of KZN's Clay Festival takes place on October 3 and 4 at Westville Girls' High School. Well-known potters Juliet Armstrong, Ian Calder and Carol Hayward Fell will demonstrate subjects such as slip trailing dishes, colourful maiolica and hand-building. There will be workshops for children aged 8 to 13, demonstrations by Ardmore Studio and a replica teaching studio.

Details from Hugh Thompson on 81-4556 or Suzann Passmore on 72-2503.

QUILT EXHIBITION

The Natal Quilters Guild Exhibition will be held at the Queensburgh Civic Centre on October 24 and 25.

For details phone Mary on 96-1854.

PIXIE XMAS

Pixiecraft has declared Christmas early this year so people can have time to browse around for that special gift before the festive season rush.

Christmas Around the World features African, American, British and Nordic craft as well as fantasy and edible items. "Outstanding items are making this a really spectacular show of unique hand crafted items from the frivolous to the functional," says Pixie Irving, owner of Pixiecraft. "And the Christmas trees are dressed with delightful decorations made out of many different mediums."

Pixiecraft is situated at 9 Salisbury Road (off Umgeni Road). Phone 23-7073.

FRERE CRAFT

The Frere Road Presbyterian Church's annual craft market takes place this year in the James Craig Memorial Hall in Evans Road on November 28 from 08h00 to noon.

Crafters wishing to take part are invited to book stalls by phoning Des Adendorff on 261-6764 or Valerie White on 764-2007 (evenings). The closing date is October 23.

AMERICO'S BUTTERFLY BIRDS

Americo Bonkewitzz came to South Africa eight years ago from dusty and windy Patagonia, Argentina, and ob-tained his doctorate degree in Zoology at the University of Natal, Pietermaritz-burg. Three years ago he had the idea of making pictures, mainly of Southern African birds, with small pieces of butterfly wings.

"This type of art expression poses the challenge to find images in the butterfly wings that reflects those ones of birds and its surroundings"," he says. "It is almost as if views of nature are recor-ded or hidden in the wings and someone has to reveal them."

Butterfly art through collage is meti-culous and time consuming, mainly limited to paintings, drawings, photo-

graphy and framed dried specimens. "Butterfly art has been practised mainly in Taiwan leading to a tremendous tra-ding of butterflies during the 50s and lamentably a bad reputation too," says Americo. "Its popularity eventually dimmed, probably due to the strength of nature conservation in the 70s and 80s.

However, butterfly farms and houses began to flourish in developed countries to export to butterfly exhibits in the UK, Canada and USA. Dead unda-maged specimens are sold or donated to schools and museums but those with broken wings or no commercial, scien-tific or educational value are discarded.

"As far as I know only butterfly art can use all the waste ones and my mission is to use the wings for art expression."

The common and scientific names of the bird are included in each picture (about 17 x 14cm) which is framed in oak, jacaranda, stinkwood or tambotie with the names of butterflies used on the back. To protect the artwork, the frame is sealed to the glass and to the laminated back cover.

Due to the time required to produce a single picture, Americo only sells work at craft markets and country fairs. "Also, because I enjoy explaining to my customers who also contribute with their critics and ideas" he says.

You'll find Americo at the Maritzburg Oval Market and the Alex Upmarket every month. He will also be at Kloof Studio Crafts from October 8 to 10.

DURBAN ROAD MARKET

The Durban Road Craft Market held in Durban Road in Pietermaritzburg is held on the first, third and last Sundays of the month, ie October 4, 18 and 25.

Market times are 08h30 to 16h00.

Phone Erna Aken on 082 886 5519 or Jackie Webb on 0331: 260-6812.

DECORATIVE ARTS

The Decorative Arts Society hold monthly lectures in the Green Jacket Room, DLI Hall, NMR Avenue, from 12h30 to 14h00.

This month, however, there will be a study morning on October 27 when NADFAS lecturer Elizabeth Gordon will discuss Michaelangelo's Frescoes in the Sistine Chapel from 08h30 to 12h00.

This event will be repeated the next day, October 28, in Pietermaritzburg at the same time in the Chamber House, Royal Showgrounds. To book, contact Lynette Pittaway on 86-5528.

The next Alex Arts & Crafts Market on October 25 in Alexandra Park, Pieter-maritzburg is set aside as Our Children's Day Market. Details on (0331) 45-0122.

MARITZBURG MARKET

The Maritzburg Oval Arts and Crafts Market in Alexandra Park, Pietermaritz-burg takes place on October 4 and there will be two markets next month on November 1 and 15.

For details phone or fax 0331: 65055.

HOWICK FALLS MARKET

The next Howick Falls Craft Market near Howick Falls takes place on October 11 from 09h00 to 15h00. Details from Nicole Roelens on (0331) 66958.