Show your support for JWVH

An artist is selling 30 paintings in 30 days with 50 per cent of the proceeds being donated to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) based in Glenferness.

Residents are urged to support the cause and receive a beautiful 60x45cm painting to the value of R1 200.

Artist Justine Lee Stead described her work as abstract and impressionistic wildlife-based art.

Stead, who is based on a farm outside Pietermaritzburg, said she enjoys working with conservationists and has followed the work of the veterinary hospital since the start of lockdown and been impressed by what they have achieved. “Many little creatures there are overlooked and I wanted to assist,” she explained.

Core team member and volunteer at JWVH Sarah Kempen said the organisation hopes to raise R30 000 through the collaboration with Stead.

Kempen said, “Justine is a local artist who has a unique and expressive painting style which we fell in love with the moment she contacted us! As a local artist, passionate about our country, her artworks show this passion.

“We are also a proudly South African (non-profit) company, and the collaborative efforts of Justine’s initiatives are helping to fund the work we do, as well as promote local talent.”

She explained that JWVH funding has been incredibly difficult during lockdown with the organisation using social media as an income source as they have been unable to host fundraising functions.

“We were forced to send out a plea last year as our funds were almost exhausted with not much in the form of donations coming through as society felt the stress and effects of lockdown and the corona pandemic. With the generous support from our Facebook and Instagram community, we are able to keep our doors open.”

Each day, Stead adds another artwork, often related to the animals housed at the veterinary hospital, to her portfolio of 30 artworks. Community members are encouraged to keep a lookout on her Facebook and Instagram pages @justineleesteadart.

“We just want to express our thanks to Justine for picking us as her beneficiary, as well as telling the story of our patients. We love that some of the animals that we have helped and treated have inspired her, and that their stories are now going to be remembered through art,” concluded Kempen.

Details: For more, visit www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com