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Gqeberha Artists Off to Jacksonville, USA

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Two of Nelson Mandela Bay’s very own artists will be making their way to Jacksonville, USA, on Friday, 25 February 2022 to pursue a collaborative art project with their US counterparts.

Jonathan van der Walt and Sakumzi Nyendwana are this year’s beneficiaries of the international exhibition exchange programme, which is a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Ritz Museum and Theatre and the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association.

The artists travel to the US through the generous support of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and will take part in the World of Nations Festival; an annual international festival that has been on the City of Jacksonville’s calendar since 1993.

Uthando Baduza, Co-Curator of the exhibition from Red Location Art Gallery, said: “As the City (NMBM) we are extremely excited that our artists will be participating in this incredible opportunity. We are further pleased that this strengthens our twinning partnership with Jacksonville, which was initiated over 20 years ago.”

“The festival they will be participating in is North Florida’s largest multicultural festival, and features exhibitions and events from a variety of countries. The celebration gives Jacksonville a chance to showcase the diverse international communities that reside in the area. Annually, 75,000 visitors, including 12,000 children on school field trips, experience the festival.”

The two local artists were chosen after a call was made to Eastern Cape Artists to make new works to be submitted to the long standing ‘Through Our Eyes’ annual exhibition coordinated by the RITZ THEATRE AND MUSEUM in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of the international partnership between the cities of Nelson Mandela Bay and Jacksonville.

36-year-old Nyendwana from Motherwell who specialises in mix medium art work said: “I am looking forward to the whole experience, it’s a great opportunity that I aim to learn from. This opportunity means a lot to me because currently as artists we are struggling. There is a lack of support, people are struggling financially so I’m really happy for this opportunity as it will showcase my work and give me the exposure I need.”

St George’s van der Walt, 31, said: “I make sculptures mainly and our work was sent to the USA last year. We will attend the festival, some workshops, art tours and do collaborative work with our counterparts. I am really excited. We are leaving this evening and coming back to South Africa on 5 March. I still can’t believe we are leaving. We are just looking forward to use this opportunity to learn and build relations for the future.”

Jonathan van der Walt and Sakumzi Nyendwana
Jonathan van der Walt and Sakumzi Nyendwana

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.