Di Sparks is proud of her good friend Georgina Thomson for the recognition she has received in the world of performing arts.
“I have been involved in the arts world for over 40 years,” said Sparks, owner of Behind the Scenes Communication.
Sparks began her love affair with the arts as a ballet teacher, later opening the Dial Dance Company and the Performing Rites Company, after which she took on the role as general manager of the Alhambra Theatre then the Sangita Barnyard Theatre, and during this time she met Thomson.
“We have been friends since about the mid-90s – we met via a mutual friend, also a ballet teacher,” said Sparks. “Georgina did substitute teaching for me a few times and then we met up again at adult ballet classes at the National School of the Arts and became firm friends.
“Our work relationship started in 2008 when she approached me to do the publicity for [what was then] the FNB Dance Umbrella and I’m happy to say that the work relationship has proved to be as good as the friendship.”
Thomson, who is the artistic director for Dance Umbrella was awarded a medal of the French Order of Arts and Literature by the French ambassador to South Africa Christophe Farnaud, honouring her tireless promotion of artistic and cultural exchanges between South Africa and France.
She has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the arts sphere, starting out as a dancer and later taking her place as one of South Africa’s most prominent and respected arts administrators.
Sparks gushed about her friend and colleague’s achievement.
“Georgina is so deserving of this special recognition. The years of dedication, passion, grim determination and sheer hard work to keep the Dance Umbrella alive. All the funding challenges she has encountered over the years since FNB withdrew, it is testimony to a very committed woman who has played a really significant role in the contemporary dance sector in South Africa.”
For her relentless efforts in a difficult and under-funded industry in South Africa, Farnaud said, “You managed to bridge the gap between international and local artists and in so doing created a network for local dance to connect internationally.”
Sparks added, “There are so many South African dancers and choreographers who owe the success of their local and international careers to her.”
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