Ngwenya trio bring art to life

Margie Caufman, Debbie Joy Stragier and Tina Hepworth are the three creative ladies behind the Ngwenya Art and Craft Gallery that are sharing their love for painting with the community.

The trio started their own gallery six years ago at the Ngwenya Glass Village because they did not want to pay for their art to be displayed, didn’t want to pay another gallery commission or be dictated to on what to paint by any gallery. “We are very blessed to be together and have the gallery,” said Hepworth.

The ladies met at one of Caufman’s art classes and have been friends and then partners ever since, a relationship that has lasted the last 17 years.

Even though each lady is her own artist in her own right, Stragier is a prolific painter, Hepworth has a fine hand and eye for detail, and Caufman has the magic touch, dubbed ‘Margie’s magic’, which can transform any painting. They still work together like clockwork as they are all colour mad and impressionistic.

“We have had the best time ever for the past six years. You can get isolated in a studio so it is so much fun when we get together on Tuesdays. We look forward to Tuesdays because we know we are going to have a ton of laughs,” saidStragier.

The artists are able to draw motivation and inspiration from each other during Tuesday art classes, where other painters are able to share in the fun and there are no limitations on what to paint. Besides the regular Tuesday classes, Caufman also holds workshops where no experience is needed.

“We should have called the gallery ‘Smile’ since that is what everyone does when they are here,” Caufman added.

According to Caufman, their gallery, which displays only their work, sells the most affordable original oil paintings in the whole of South Africa. The best way to meet them is to come and have a look around the store and sit and have a chat, with no pressure to purchase anything.

Details: Ngwenya Art and Craft Gallery, 084 582 3209.