At the corner of Selkirk Avenue and Blairgowrie Drive is where the Touch of Genius Gallery has set up shop, and lives up to its name.
The gallery acts as an art retailer and as an agent for enlistment of artists. Emerging artists are given the platform to further their craft, and the gallery boasts success stories which demonstrate its touch of genius.
The gallery opened in 2004 from the owner’s house and has subsequently expanded to the corner shopping complex, and has plans to move to an area more suited to the art community. Manager Ike Nwokedi said that the gallery offers more than an opportunity for buyers to purchase art; it also gives emerging artists a platform to nurture their talent while learning about the ‘visual art value chain’.
“The artists who come here do not always understand the value of training. They sometimes want to produce work to make money, but buyers can’t connect with rushed work.”
The art hub is a space for artists to go beyond the production of art just to sell it. Through the gallery’s guidance, artists are introduced to the business of art, where they take their talent and identify a way to monetise it.
In the past, the gallery has used a donation by Airports Company South Africa to provide emerging artists with 4 months’ worth of a stipend, training and interpersonal support. One of the participants the gallery’s programme was able to go on to start her own art classes in the Yeoville community, and another won a cash prize of R100 000 and went on to start her own studio.
The gallery is registered as a non-governmental organisation and has plans to branch out and create an art academy for the youth.
Whether you intend to buy art, get involved in your local community or have your skills enhanced through their Young Artistic Future Mentorship Programme, they can be reached on 011 056 9087, 011 070 7092, email: gallery@togg.co.za or admin@togg.co.za
Related article:
Rand Park High takes to the stage for their annual major production
