CRAFT

CRAFTS NOW 1997

The FNB Vita Crafts Now 1997 Awards Exhibition takes place from February 16 to March 29 next year at the National Cultural History Museum, New Museum of Culture, in Pretoria. Prizes total R20 000 and the aim of this awards exhibition is to encourage the creation of works of fine craftsmanship in clay, fibre, wood, glass, metal etc and to promote public interest and appreciation in craft.

Selection will be by coloured slide or photograph only which, with entry forms, must reach the Crafts Council, PO Box 2032, Houghton, 2041 on or before November 15. Successful entrants will be advised in writing by the end of November who will then be required to send their work to Pretoria.

For further information contact Sue Greenberg on 86-3230 (a/h) or Wendy Goldblatt on telefax (011) 728-3070 or write to PO Box 2302, Houghton, 2041.

GIFT WRAPPING

Marcella's in Hillcrest Shopping Centre will hold a Christmas gift wrapping demonstration on November 30 from 14h00 onwards. Those attending should bring along a pair of scissors.

Phone 75-3077 for information.

ANNIE'S POTS

click to enlarge

Zulu praise names, myths and legends form the inspiration for Zululand potter Annie Nicolson's exhibition at the Bayside Gallery in Durban's BAT Centre from early November.

The exhibition will be opened on November 3 by Marguerite Poland, well-known writer of children's books and adult novels. Marguerite has made a study of the Nguni cattle which have inspired Annie's work.

A prot‚g‚ of Barry Dibb, Annie fires her pots in the traditional African pit-fired way. Working from her farm in Zulu-land, she has held exhibitions throughout South Africa and in Britain where her burnished and patterned work sells very successfully.

"The colours of African sunsets and desert sands, colours of embers in slumbering fires and veld blackened by runaway flames", is how she describes her pots inspired as much by her third generation upbringing in Zululand as by the unique coat patterns of the Nguni cattle which she has grown to love. Her exhibition, which runs until November 17, affords an interesting cultural perspective of Zulu tradition.

NGEZANDLA ZETHU

Artists and crafters are invited to submit their works for Pietermaritzburg's Tatham Art Gallery's arts and crafts bazaar, Ngezandla Zethu (With our Hands) hosted by the Phemba Kahle Arts Centre from December 7 to 16.

The closing date for entries is November 16 and the exhibition, sponsored by the Natal Witness, is open to all artists and crafters from the Natal midlands region. There is no entry fee and artists may submit as many works as they wish.

Crafts of a high standard are expected from areas such as Muden and New Hanover.

CENTRAL

"Apart from being a central market spot for festive season shoppers as well as artists, this exhibition is also a platform aimed at giving as much public exposure to the creative potential of those artists from the historical disadvantaged community as possible" says Kobus Moolman, education officer at the Tatham Art Gallery.

Contact Siphiwe waka Mkhize at 0331: 42-8070 or 42-1955.

CRAFT AND TEDDY FAIR

There will be a Christmas Craft and Teddy Fair at Botha's Hill Station, Botha's Hill on November 24 from 09h00 to 16h00. Father Christmas is expected to arrive at 09h30 and will hand out sweets to the children.

Details from Nicki on 777-1011.

CRAFT OPEN HOUSE

Plates from Italy, bonsai, herbs, porcelain dolls, ceramic painting and decoupage as well as wooden Christmas decorations, eggs, teddies, handmade paper, stationery and hand-painted table cloths are just a few of the interesting crafts on view at the Craft Open House at the end of the month.

The venue is 37 Alamein Avenue, Kloof from November 27 to 30. Open daily (09h00-17h00) but closing time on Saturday is 12h00.

For more details phone 764-0031.