TEAMING up with professional artists to help nurture artistic abilities among community members living adjacent to the wetland park, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority recently helped introduce 40 budding artists to the world of art.
The training workshop included courses in print making, painting, sculpture and the business of art, to cover both skills development and economic opportunities.
Sanele Jali (print making), Sakhile Mhlongo (painting) and Mondli Mdanda (sculpture) passed on their artistic know how while Art Source covered the business side of things, helping the students realise their art could become a source of income.
‘The iSimangaliso art programme is one of several integrated rural development programmes that address the development needs of communities living in and around the park,’ said iSimangaliso Capacity Building Manager, Nonku Lafuleni.
‘One of the major objectives is to ensure the world heritage site is developed in a way that ensures residents benefit from the park.
‘Contributing towards the alleviation of poverty is a core function of iSimangaliso, and empowerment strategies include ownership, job creation, procurement and training.
‘It is essential that the artists not only create excellent bodies of work, but also understand the context and integral link to the environment and our work in the park.
‘Subject matter has therefore included park signage, animals, indigenous trees and other natural forms.
‘Our artists understand that without the presence of such features, there would be no inspiration for their work.’
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