SCAVA News June 2025

June 2025

SCAVA News

Chairperson

"May we never stop creating – it is for the better."

From the Chair

Dear SCAVA members,

It has been an incredible 3 months since our previous newsletter!

René Scribante

We had our beautiful “Winter Wonderland” exhibition that warmed the winter chills with a total of 7 artworks sold and new members participating. “As the first rains of winter begin to fall — gentle, rhythmic, and full of quiet intention — we are reminded that even in the grey and cool of the season’s arrival, there is beauty. The beginning of winter brings with it not just weather, but atmosphere. Streets glisten, branches darken, and the world takes on a softer tone — a canvas freshly washed and waiting. This is the season where imagination stirs.”

We had members exhibiting at the KKNK2025, workshop and exhibition with the renowned Prof Elfriede Dreyer in the WILD, gallery spaces opening and many more. I am proud of our members and privilege to follow their artistic journeys. Please share them with us!

I had the privilege to have a private tour of the Sanlam Art Collection!

SCAVA provides its members the opportunity to take part in exhibitions in the Southern Cape and beyond.

SCAVA’s Winter Wonderland Exhibition

2 May – 19 June 2025

Marking the seasonal transition into the colder months, thirty-four SCAVA artists presented over 120 artworks at this year’s Winter Wonderland Art Exhibition. Members and visitors gathered for an intimate opening evening in the Sayers Auditorium of the George Museum to celebrate the latest achievements of SCAVA members. This was the second exhibition on SCAVA’s 2025 art calendar. The artworks captured the mood of the changing landscape and celebrated the seasonal florals. Besides the striking portraits displayed, visitors welcomed the additions of the contemporary digital and abstract pieces.

Members are commended on the sales and praise they received for their artworks.

by Vandana Premchand

Upcoming Exhibitions

Annual Competition time is around the corner!

SCAVA’s Annual “Visual Expressions” Competition and Exhibition

Upcoming Exhibitions

Annual Competition time is around the corner!

SCAVA’s Annual “Visual Expressions” Competition and Exhibition

We are thrilled to announce the dates and rules for this year's SCAVA's Visual Expressions annual art competition and exhibition. The event is open to both SCAVA and non-SCAVA members.

Please follow the link to the UPDATED rules and dates: https://www.scava.co.za/s/2025-Competition-Rules-Dates.pdf

IMPORTANT DATES:

Submission of Entries:

- Friday, 22th August 2025, between 09:00 and 16:00

- Saturday, 23rd August 2025, between 09:00 and 12:00

Award Ceremony:

- Friday, 29th August 2025, at 18:00

Exhibition:

- Friday, 29th August to Saturday, 9th October 2025

RSVP for Gala and Prize Giving Event:

- By Saturday, 23rd August 2025, to admin@scava.co.za

Collection of Art at End of Exhibition:

- Friday, 10th and Saturday, 11th October 2025

PLEASE NOTE: This year, we will continue with the ODIN fundraising project for SCAVA members

We invite all participating artists to create a painting on a deep stretched canvas measuring 150 x 150 mm in size. These artworks will be displayed together as a collective whole in the foyer of the Sayers Auditorium and will be sold for R500 each. Half of the proceeds will go to the artist, and the other half will be donated to Oudtshoorn Dogs in Need. Artists are encouraged to create multiple pieces, but must submit at least one. Non-SCAVA members participating in the competition are also welcome to join this initiative.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Annual Competition time is around the corner!

SCAVA’s Annual “Visual Expressions” Competition

Opening Evening

Upcoming Exhibitions

SCAVA & Poetry

Join us for this unique occasion that promises to be a celebration of creativity and inspiration. Discover the mesmerising fusion of Art and Poetry at the upcoming collaboration between the SCAVA "Visual Expressions" Art Competition and Poetry event.

Place: Sayers Auditorium of the George Museum

Date: Saturday 13 September 2024

Time: 10h00 - 12h00

Interested in participating, please contact Gail Bruwer Hagemann at +27 83 643 5538

Prepare to be enchanted as poets take the stage to recite their verses inspired by the captivating art pieces featured in SCAVA's Competition Exhibition. The interplay between visual and literary art forms will offer a fresh perspective on the depths of human expression. Each poem will delve into the emotions, stories, and interpretations evoked by the selected artworks, creating a bridge between the visual and the linguistic.

SCAVA’s Channels of Communication!

SCAVA now have two separate groups for communication through WhatsApp!

-SCAVA NOTICE BOARD - this is our existing Notice Board, and we will only post SCAVA information on this group.

-SCAVA ART NEWS AND CHAT - here we will post about other arts and art related opportunities to take part in or to attend. Members will be able to chat on this group. If you don’t join this group, you won’t be notified about other opportunities. Please note that there will be rules that needs to be adhere to for this group. We are looking forward to hearing from you and to be able to interact.

The reason for the two groups is to keep SCAVA’s important information separate to other opportunities and news and to be able to chat to fellow members of SCAVA

Please follow the link shared on SCAVA’s NOTICE BOARD to join the *SCAVA ART NEWS AND CHAT group.

SCAVA’s Committee:

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

Member Exhibitions at KKNK2025

Lisl Barry notes from a Karoo Artist’s Studio I

Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees

(KKNK) 1 – 6 April 2025

It was full KKNK participation for me this year. Aside from some of my work forming part of the wonderful, meandering KKNK visual arts exhibition, titled ‘Diepe Grond’ curated by the amazing Liza Grobler, and having my Open Studio exhibition (which I have held these past 7 years, as part of the Kunskwartier/Art Quarter) I bravely ventured forth from behind my easel, advancing with only my wits and a stash of water-soluble oil paints and 60 canvas blocks at hand, and entered the realm of Public Participation-Studio Experience. At the risk of being under-prepared, I did the next natural approach of being overprepared while the mantra “keep it simple” played on loop, like an earworm, in my head. For those that may have felt trepidation I aimed for least-intimidating. For others thrilled at the opportunity, here was a chance to loosen up and explore the colours and textures of the medium. What a fantastic experience. And the public seemed to enjoy it too.

Water-soluble oil paints are in fact a thing, I discovered, and very kindly organised by Artsavingsclub and generously sponsored by Cobra paints (not to be confused with cobra polish). These paints have the same creamy viscosity and vibrant colours as traditional oil paints but cleaning your brushes is hassle- and solvent-free, and there’s plenty of room for play.

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

SCAVA

Same-size small canvas blocks created from offcuts in my studio. Sixty in all.

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

Each canvas block would be painted by an individual, as if an abstract, to form part of the whole, thereby each final artwork would be painted by many. A perfect example of everyone working in their own unique and creative way to create Something Beautiful and cohesive.

SCAVA Member News

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members! Participants!

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

There is one of these artworks still to be completed.

At this year’s Klein Karoo Klassique (8 – 10 August) also held in Oudtshoorn, I will be offering the same opportunity. When: 7 August 2025. Any time between12 - 3pm (approx. 1hr needed). No charge. 8 places only – please book your spot on WhatsApp/call: Lisl Barry 082 7696 993

Friends & I: KKNK 1 – 6 April 2025

During April, eight SCAVA artists participated in a group exhibition at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees held annually in Oudtshoorn.

“Friends & I” is a group show presented by René Scribante Loft Studio and comprises of Kala Combrink, Magda Faul, Chantal Gerber, Tersia Hoffman, René Scribante, Gerda Smith, Ian Tainton, Vandana Premchand and Ester Zonnestein. Not only was this the third group exhibition for the “Friends”, but this was their debut group show at the KKNK. Hosted by the historical CP Nel Museum, over 130 artworks were showcased in this vibrantly curated exhibition.

The KKNK is an important yearly festival famous for its unique and eclectic celebration of the arts. This was a wonderful opportunity for SCAVA artists to present their artwork to both local and international visitors. by Vandana Premchand

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

WILD Workshop and Exhibition led by Prof Elfriede Dreyer

An exhibition of artworks utilising natural and conventional materials, inspired by an engagement with wild nature in the George plantation.

The artworks were produced during a creativity workshop by Prof Elfriede Dreyer of Unisa, artist, curator and founder of the CAP Institute for Contemporary Art Practice (www.cap-institute.com) and Vice Chairperson of SANAVA.

The workshop was aimed at developing creative, conceptual and technical skills with an experimental approach. Themes for exploration included looking at own identity as natural, mortal beings; nature's processes as mirror' to those of humans; the Anthropocene (humans' impact on the environment): caring for nature; connectness; and an inner wilderness.

It was an absolute honour for the SCAVA artist participating in this workshop and exhibition, an experience that they will cherish for a very long time…

Thank you to Prof Elfriede Dreyer, we are looking forward to many more to come!

SCAVA Member News Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

New Art, Collaboration and Hope in Oudtshoorn:

told from a personal perspective by Janet Dixon.

“The Gallery is a hub for the Klein Karoo’s community and collaboration. By exhibiting alongside fellow local artists, the individual artist becomes part of a shared creative dialogue. This fosters mutual inspiration, exchange of ideas, and often, collective growth through shared experiences and critique.

The Klein Karoo is blooming with talent. My vision with the gallery is to transform spaces and touch hearts through the creativity of all our local artists.”

Hans Blignaut.

During the KKNK 2025, I mentioned on RSG, that it has been a source of sadness for me since I closed the doors of ArtKaroo and took her online, that there has been no community gallery or artists hub in Oudtshoorn. Scarcely a week later Dr Hanco Blignaut revealed that his dream was to create just such a hub. And so it was born, expanding the space that he, our local artistic dentist, had outfitted for his own art, larger than life impressionistic figurative oils on board, in a space which previously had housed Karoo Antiques, 43 Baron van Reede Street, opposite Mr Price.

I rented a room next to Hanco for my own work -Karoo landscapes in oils and alcohol inks, as well as a few quality reproductions of my art, also my insect range. As I spend most of our winters elsewhere, I am happy that my work is always visible here in Oudtshoorn. The rest of the space has been populated with works by Klein Karoo artists, under Hanco’s guidance such as Francois Tiran, Herman Niebuhr, Johan Coetzer, Peter Engelbrecht, Yvette Hess, Hilton Jackson, Constance Jonkers, Simone Smit, Nelton Willemse and Floris van Zyl.

In addition to the gallery there are other tenants in the complex, in particular Red Poppies interior design shop and Ice Palazzo. Jennifer from Ice Palazzo is ready to assist you not only with an Italian Gelato ice-cream, but both the gallery and design shop.

The gallery was softly opened on 15 May 2025, to music by Tumino & Keisha, but intends to evolve with time. Pop in when you are in the area!

43 Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape www.artbyhans.com @ hans_blignaut_art_ www.artkaroo.co.za @janet Dixon

Jennifer Claussen 0843594544

SCAVA Member News

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

SCAVA & Mouth and Foot Association Artist Patrick Botto

Patric Botto life story and how he became an artist was showcased on KYKNET on 19 May 2025 as part as “Vreemder as Fiksie”

He is an incredible artist and human being and his story is such an immense inspiration not only to artists but to all. Such a pleasure to have him as part of our SCAVA community!

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

Cathy Fourie at Gallery Arterie and Bruise Gallery

After submitting three paintings for an exhibition at Gallery Arterie in Swellendam, I received news that two of them where accepted . Gallery Arterie and Bruise Gallery are the brainchild of Hanja Badenhorst and are a real creative hub in the town.

The opening, which is always well attended, was on a crisp winter Saturday morning this time and the town was abuzz with visitors attending the Saturday morning market just a short distance from the gallery.

Gallery Arterie is situated in a small historical building in the centre of Swellendam and Hanja likes to cover the walls with her own art works as well as art from artists in the whole Southern Cape and further afield. She organises regular themed exhibitions and this one was titled 'Sehnsucht.... yearn...hunker' - to have an intense feeling of longing for something.

The gallery is well worth a visit next time you are passing through Swellendam.

Cathy Fourie

Lisl Barry – Notes from a Karoo Artist’s Studio

Guest artist at Prince Albert Winter (PA) Open Studios, 13 – 16 June 2025

The quaint town of Prince Albert is a mere hop, skip and a jump away if you are a klipspringer, and about an hour and a half’s drive over (or through) a pretty monumental mountain if you are a human in a painting-laden car setting off from a studio in Oudtshoorn. I am always eager to do the trip and it invariably takes longer than my phone ‘Maps’ predicts simply because the immense scenery dictates snail-pace when one is passing through landscape painting after landscape painting. Real Life. Real Time but strangely time warpish.

If the weather is clear, with every bend and turn one is awed by the dominating sky, a colour blue so thick it feels like it’s been applied with a palate knife. Alternatively, travelling through Meiringspoort is like a tantalising, geological billboard advertising the hidden galleries of age-old San Rock paintings - the Karoo’s first celebrated artists - and the skyline looms large overhead with rockfaces complete with kaleidoscopic effect. All this can be rather intoxicating and if you tend to find beautiful landscapes rather breathtaking, by the time you finally arrive in the town you will find yourself quite gasping for air and feeling dangerously light-headed.

I was invited as a guest artist for this past PA Open Studios, and it was therefore fitting, and intentional, that in this area so generously oozing vistas, I exhibited a new series of Karoo landscapes. My pop-up studio exhibition was alongside the workshop of long-time resident jewellery designer, Di van der Riet. Di creates finely handcrafted silver and gold jewellery - her own designs and commissions. One of my favourites of her jewellery ranges include in their design, shards of (mostly) blue-and-white, porcelain crockery found in her garden. Back gardens were the historical household dumping ground of earlier residents - thankfully before the days of plastic - and it has proved an inspirational source of serendipitous material for her.

If you haven’t visited the Prince Albert Open Studios weekends you are in for a treat next time it comes around this summer. There are plenty of local artists, between 20 and 30, so there are a number of diverse studios to explore and local artists to meet - printmakers, sculptors, painters, and more. The Showroom Theatre, dating from the art deco era, had a number of art movies showing and there were catered sunset picnics on offer ‘behind the koppie’ and guided s tar gazing. Prof Sue Dean - Ecologist Extraordinaire - offers a guided early morning and late afternoon short walk in the veld and what a wonder to behold the tiny succulents and hear about the lives of plants and animals and see evidence of the early people in the area.

Art appreciation comes in all forms in the Karoo and especially in this rural town, where it is showcased in galleries, studios and very predominantly in the natural surroundings.

Prince Albert Gallery, on the main road, is where one begins to get an idea of who is exhibiting and where to locate them in town. You can follow Prince Albert Open Studios on Facebook or Instagram to find out when the next Open Studio weekend is to take place. Lisl Barry also has work permanently exhibited at the Prince Albert Gallery.

SCAVA Member News

Art Exhibition and more by our SCAVA Members!

Kala Combrink at the Cité Internationale des Artes

Spring in Paris – Kala Combrink

It was an honor and privilege to spend two months at the recently renovated SANAVA Studio in the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. Edoardo Villa, Studio 8113 facing the Seine across from a busy and noisy rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, in the charming Marais district, my home during May and June 2025. Notre Dame is only a stone’s throw away, Museé d’Orsay and the Louvre is within walking distance. A metro station and a bus stop right in front of the Cité’s entrance.

The initial plan was to paint outdoors most days and squeeze in as many art museums and exhibitions as possible. But then I met Pat Fenn, fellow South African, an accomplished portrait artist. Nursing a recent foot injury, she stayed home every other day and painted these amazing, expressive, flamboyant portraits. She inspired me, and within a week I had painted twelve small portraits on the plein air panels I brought with! I bought a canvas pad and painted ten more portraits, now in A3 size. I painted outdoors as well and had enough work for an Open Studio. And on Wednesday 18 June we hosted a combined exhibition in my studio titled “Under the SurFace”. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors, fellow residents as well as people from outside, an interesting eclectic international mix, it was a fun evening.

Despite all these creative efforts I still had plenty of time to see lots of art. I visited countless museums and saw enough art to last me a lifetime… (well maybe) I went outside Paris to Giverny, Morêt-sur-Loing, Auvers-sur-Oise, Barbizon, Argenteuil. I saw paintings by famous artists I have long admired Sorolla, Rosa Bonheur, Rembrandt, and discovered new art heroes: Christian Krohg, Suzanne Valadon, Gabriele Münter, Jean Arcelyn and Eugène Boudin to name but a few. Every day filled with art and only art, a dream come true.

SCAVA Member News

Share your news of Exhibitions that you are part of and more with SCAVA, we would love to share them in our Newsletter!

SANAVA Newsletters

Links to SANAVA News Letter of the last 3 months.

April 2025 https://mailchi.mp/ff4a690bf8f7/sanava-matters-april-2025

May 2025 https://mailchi.mp/0ddca08975fe/sanava-matters-may-19875839

June 2025 https://mailchi.mp/894a0c5ded2e/sanava-matters-june-19876348

The End "Let’s keep shaping the world with our imagination one brushstroke, one idea, one vision at a time."

Inspirational Quote

Edvard Munch

“I painted the picture, and in the colours the rhythm of the music quivers. I painted the colours I saw.”