05 Apr 2021

Thapong Visual Arts Centre has embarked on a campaign dubbed ‘sponsor an artist’ to provide a helping hand to visual artists during trying times.

In an interview recently, the coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginald Bakwena, said while the government had always supported artists, it was wise for the centre to also come up with initiatives to make a difference.

Bakwena said through the campaign the centre asked for financial assistance, food hampers, commissioning of artists, art materials and any other assistance to help sustain artists and give them hope.

He said the centre has 1 400 registered members and that since the onset of the pandemic, the artists had struggled to make ends meet.

He said local and international tourists, who often toured the centre, contributed by purchasing items during tours and exhibitions.

Bakwena also said due to travel restrictions, it had become difficult for some artists to move around the country and across borders for exhibitions and sales.

He said any assistance would be extended to stand alone artists, with first priority given to registered members. Bakwena also said efforts to market and expose artists on social media platforms made a difference, although there was lack of interaction between the artist and the customer.

“Art is a contact job and at times it becomes difficult for the customer to fully explain their preference virtually, especially on a new job to be commissioned,” he said. ENDS