Media Release: Immediate. 27 August 2008 (Mossel Bay Tourism)PIC: Staff and artists of the Crafts Arts Workshop in their shop on Market Street

Development Success for Craft Arts Workshop

Mossel Bay’s Crafts Arts Workshop is putting people to work – with outstanding results.

But, said artist-in-resident Hein Marais, although the Workshop – which occupies the building next door to Mossel Bay Tourism – is one of the most popular destinations for foreign visitors, it’s not very well known amongst locals.

“This is a pity,” he said, “because we have one of the finest ranges of handmade gifts for both the domestic and corporate markets.”

Mr. Marais heads a group of 16 artists and craftspeople who make their living out of creating cards, bags, paintings, coasters, pot stands and many other items – and selling them through their showroom on the premises as well as to buyers further afield.

“Our work is achieved through the love and labour of local people,” he said. “We’re empowering ourselves by transferring skills and creating opportunities.”

Mr. Marais cited the example of Julian Pietersen, a young artist he’s been mentoring for a little more than a year. “Julian was a bit of a lost child when he came to us, but we saw that he had talent and with support, attention and love he’s now making and selling decorated matchboxes and other gifts – and he’s running his own business for his own account.”

“I always knew that I had talent and I always had confidence in my own ideas,” said Mr. Pietersen, “but I didn’t know how to make a living from it.

“I like to be creative and this work has given me the opportunity to achieve some of my dreams – like joining a gym and buying my own CD player.

“Now my wish is to mentor someone else and eventually to work with them from beginning to end.”

Mthethelele ‘Mathews’ Malambile, whose corrugated cardboard and corrugated tin township collages have become synonymous with Mossel Bay, occupies a studio in the basement of the building, where he mentors Moses Dunster and Lindikhaya Mabutho. Mr. Dunster makes spice and gift boxes decorated with collage while Mr. Mabutho and a Rastafarian known only as Ayathemba paint cards for Botlierskop Game Farm – which uses them as gifts for its guests.

“We also have a similar contract with the Protea Hotel Mossel Bay,” said Mr. Malambile. “They’ve printed 8,000 cards which we’re decorating for them. In this way, the hotels have recognised and rewarded these young people for their enthusiasm while at the same time helping them to establish themselves in their own businesses.”

In other parts of the building, Lindiwe Ngcana and Zandra Klapwijk create spoons from shells and quills and exquisite tapestries with an African theme – and Jennifer and Shelma Kannemeyer and Nola Riddles make paper mache birds and bowls and decorate brown paper carrier bags with township collages (or ‘tin shack art’) which they sell to companies like Mossel Bay Tourism – which uses them as presentation packs and corporate gifts.

“We saw the need for the artists to manage their businesses in a more professional way, and we’ve sponsored the work of a facilitator who’s guided them towards this goal,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s marketing manager, Debra Bouwer.

“Tourists are the Craft Arts Workshop’s main customers, and, because we strongly believe that tourism is a force for positive change in South Africa, we’re excited to be involved in developing a group of dedicated people literally on our doorstep.”

“With the help of Sara Hutton, we’re constantly designing and creating new products,” said Mr. Marais, “and we’re more than willing to come up with unique ideas for local companies who want local gifts made by local people.

“We want the business communities of Mossel Bay and the Garden Route to see the Crafts Art Workshop as a reliable supplier of useful and unusual gifts.”

The Crafts Art Workshop is open weekdays from 9:00 to 5:00. More information from 044 691 1761

ENDS 655 Words

MORE INFORMATION:
Debra Bouwer – Marketing Manager, Mossel Bay Tourism
marketing@visitmosselbay.co.za | Telephone: +27(0)44 691 2202

www.visitmosselbay.co.za

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