Reiger Park showcases vibrant youth art

Home of Movement organisation, in collaboration with the Reiger Park Library, hosted an art exhibition that will run until July 6.

This event aligns with the Ekurhuleni libraries’ initiative to explore the intersection of photography and fine art, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the local community.

The exhibition features works by learners from grades 5 to 12 and unemployed youth in the area.

The dynamic workshop, titled ‘Capturing Ekurhuleni’s Beauty Through Photography and Fine Art’, aimed to cultivate creativity and foster community connections.

Siphiwe Vilakazi, the founder of Home of Movement, shared insights into the workshop’s purpose.

“The workshop isn’t just about learning technical skills, it’s about fostering creativity and connection within our community.

“The week-long event began with theoretical sessions on Monday and Tuesday, followed by practical activities from Wednesday to Friday. The exhibition showcases the participants’ work on Saturday.

“Participants had the chance to learn from seasoned professionals in photography and fine art, discovering new techniques for capturing the essence of Ekurhuleni through visual storytelling.

“The hands-on activities were designed to inspire and ignite artistic expression among the youth,” said Vilakazi.

Vilakazi noted that many participants showed a keen interest in pursuing careers as photographers, poets, journalists, and activists.

“We aim to also teach them to be aware of their surroundings and be curious,” he added.

The initiative received support from the local community, including Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation principal Peter Arendse, who attended the event.

“We are very interested in the programme and hope to continue supporting and expanding it. We are proud of our children who took the time to learn. This shows determination among them,” Arendse said.

“Initiatives like this take them off the street and keep them from doing bad things. We are grateful for the organisation for taking their time to teach these learners.”

Arendse said the art exhibition not only highlighted the talents of Reiger Park’s youth but also underscored the community’s commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation through art and education.

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