Members of the media are invited to cover the celebration of the Heritage day at Mofolo Art Centre by Visual Artists and Crafters from in and around Soweto. Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe will address the Imbizo on opportunities available to assist them to access international markets.
The partnership between Department of Small Business Development and the Mofolo Art Centre seeks to ensure that there is continued support for artists that have for many years been struggling to access markets despite their magnificent products.
Earlier in July, Deputy Minister Thabethe led a mission to Santa Fe Art market in USA that included artists from Mofolo Art Centre.
Santa Fe is known to host international art markets and this year Art Santa Fe celebrated its fifteenth successful fair, again offering an all-encompassing experience that included a high class mix of excellent contemporary galleries from all over the globe, cutting edge art installations, and emerging artists and dealers.
Mr Nkosi was “the talk of the town” in Santa Fe Art market. His work is made of various collages using different fabrics or materials to create a different form of art. This form of art fascinated most international buyers as they have never seen such a technique in a uniquely South African style. He makes portraits using pieces of material from Seshoeshoe to nylon.
Deputy Minister Thabethe who was leading the delegation was quoted as saying: “The buyers here have no time to complain about the price, for as long they like the product, they buy without hesitation. The art work from South Africa is new and fresh to their eyes, it is just fascinating and that’s why they can’t stop talking about South Africa” she concluded.
Ms Pauline Mazibuko was also another sensational story. “What we do here in three days is far better than what we can achieve in more than a month back home, sometimes even more than half a year. It is just incredible, they love our products. Thanks to the South African government for supporting us” exhumed Ms Mazibuko
Media are invited as follows:
Visual Art and Crafts Imbizo
Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Time: 11:00
Venue: Mofolo Art Centre, Mzilikazi Street, Soweto.
The purpose of the Imbizo is to showcase the creative industry capacity and talent whilst acknowledging the hard work of local crafters.
The Imbizo will create an opportunity for the aspiring crafters to engage directly with Deputy Ministers Thabethe as well as officials who will share with the community some of the products and services to help start, grow and sustain their businesses.
Enquiries:
Noko Manyelo
Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development
Cell: 060 972 5221
Email: nmanyelo@dsbd.gov.za
Cornelius Monama
Ministry of Small Business Development
Tel: 012 394 3027
Cell: 082 578 4063
Fax: 086 544 0931
E-mail: cmonama@dsbd.gov.za
