Artist nurtures students’ creativity
Pat Sithole is determined to use his experience to unearth the artistic talent in young people eKasi.
KwaThema – Pat Sithole is determined to use his experience to unearth artistic talent from young people eKasi.
“I do not even remember when I started doing art.
“From as far back as I can remember I have been drawing,” he says.
Pat says he achieved his first solo exhibition in 2007 at the Absa Art Gallery in Johanesburg.
“The funny thing is that I entered a competition there, but I did not win any prize.
“Some time later the visual arts manager called me to express interest in my work.”
Pat has created many works of ark for Absa branches across the country.
He is also the art instructor at the Ekurhuleni Art Development School at the KwaThema library.
The initiative was established in 2006 to allow experienced artists like Pat to equip and mentor aspiring artists.
“The programme has been amazing because I have seen many of my students blossom into great artists.
“They come here with raw talent, but I help them to sharpen their skills.”
He believes the programme helps to expose young people to the opportunities that are available for them in the field.
“Most of them don’t know they can make careers out of this.
Whether it be fine art and cartooning or fashion design, I encourage them to study further after they complete Grade 12.”
Pat says the school is open to everyone between the ages of 14 to 35.
“I am passionate about what I do so I do not mind teaching them at their pace and the ones who are truly gifted keep coming back for more.”
Ekurhuleni Art Development School runs their classes in the KwaThema Library activity room at 2pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
