MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Last weekend saw the Sayers Auditorium of the George Museum filled with celebration, creativity and a true sense of connection through art.
The South Cape Association of Visual Arts (Scava) officially opened this year's Visual Expressions competition and exhibition here on Friday evening, 29 August.
And a memorable evening it was, with artists from Mossel Bay, Gouritsmond, George and further afield exhibiting prize-winning works of art.
The competition was open to both Scava members and non-members aged 16 and older. This year, an impressive 67 artists entered with a total of 152 artworks, including seven students of the Inkcubeko Youth Science Centre.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Outeniqua High School Jazz Band entertained the packed auditorium with some soulful music.
Scava's chairperson, René Scribante, thanked the panel of judges - Prof Elfriede Dreyer, Fawa Conradie and Juria le Roux - who undertook the challenging task of evaluating the artworks.
Some of the artists with the Scava committee members and judges. Back: Brett Gendall, Gerrit Jordaan, Adri Botha, Fawa Conradie (judge), Prof Elfriede Dreyer (judge and vice president of the South African National Association for the Visual Arts), Vandana Premchand (secretary), Hannelien Hattingh (committee member), Susan Alexander (committee member) and Kala Combrink (treasurer). Front: Zanne Small, Mien Greyling, Ferdo Voigt and Cole Hay.
Middle: Niki Saunders, Marietha Smit, Theresa Pieters-Oldewage, Thelma Kaths, René Scribante (chairperson), Tersia Hoffmann (committee member) and Rosa Snyman Wessels.
"Your discerning eyes and profound appreciation for the arts have ensured that the most out-standing pieces were honoured. Thank you to every artist who participated, ensuring the event's success."
The competition would also not have been possible without the generous sponsors, which Scribante thanked by name.
"Thank you for encouraging creativity and helping to shine a light on the visual arts. It means a lot to both the artists and to Scava," she said.
The 2025 prize winners are:
Landscape/interior/seascape/urban landscape
• 1st: All has Purpose - Shania Heydon
• 2nd: Prince Albert, Late Afternoon - Ferdo Voigt (Gouritsmond)
• 3rd: Landmark - Gerrit Jordaan
• Merit: Bo-Karoo - Mien Greyling; Boundless - Thelma Kahts
Prince Albert, Late Afternoon by Ferdo Voigt.
Floral/still life
• 1st: Stillewe - Brood - Johan Rabe
• 2nd: Still Life with Desert Landscape - Mien Greyling
• 3rd: Kaaimans Meditation 1 - Gerrit Jordaan
• Merit: Roses for You - Zanne Small
Portrait
• 1st: Ja meneer, ja mevrou - Natali Downing (Mosselbaai)
Ja meneer, ja mevrou by Natali Downing
• 2nd: I Said No - Cole Hay (Gouritsmond)
Cole Hay with her artwork, I Said No.• 3rd: Daily Walk - Mien Greyling
• Merit: Roxanne - Niki Saunders; Old Man - Susan Dekker (Mosselbaai)
Susan Dekker's artwork, Old Man.
Abstract/experimental/3D
• 1st: Nature’s Matrix - Rosa Snyman Wessels
• 2nd: Drift - Theresa Pieters-Oldewage
• 3rd: Simme Shelter - Marietha Smit
Animal/wildlife
• 1st: Delft into the Deep - Ferdo Voigt (Gouritsmond)
• 2nd: Seekat I - Adri Botha
• 3rd: The Dinner Party - Brett Gendall
• Merit: Seekat II - Adri Botha
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