MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Zandra Klapwijk considers herself a professional crafter - an inquisitive person who uses variable craft skills to create art - and she is always experimenting with new techniques.

"I grew up in Mossel Bay in a creative family and was always drawing, sewing and making stuff."

She studied graphic design, then worked in art departments, then spent 15 years travelling, and picked up many craft and art skills from different cultures. "I could support myself by supplying hand-painted clothing to boutiques and making different craft items for shops and markets."

When Klapwijk returned to Mossel Bay in 1996, she set up a big studio and opened her own gallery. "My dad, Wim, taught me his glass art skills, which became my main passion and challenge." Her art is part of his legacy.

Klapwijk said she managed to secure the use of the old Mossel Bay Museum building next to Mossel Bay Tourism in 2002, and set up a space to collaborate with other local artists and community craft projects. 

"There, my fascination with native hand embroidery turned into 10 years of training 120 local women.

"In 2022, Mossel Bay Tourism took over the building and renamed it The Town's House. I had my own gallery there, alongside a space where more than 60 local artists could display and sell their art and crafts. In October last year, The Town's House was awarded a tender to become a private retail space, and the artists had to leave."

This was a moment in which Klapwijk considered giving up on art. "I had a large amount of craft and artwork in stock, but nowhere to display or sell it. Those 20 years had helped define me as an artist, and losing that space left me feeling lost and isolated, because I had lost regular contact with my creative community and patrons."

November opportunity

An opportunity came Klapwijk's way: to make new craft art products for an exhibition with other local artists at the Diaz Museum this month as part of National Maritime Month. "This was the inspiration and goal to dive into my studio at home and experience the joy and challenge of creating again."

She also created a small gallery at her harbour house, which she will open for the December/January holidays.

"What I love about my art is the journey each item takes me on ... from concept to the thrill of working out construction, materials and learning new skills like wiring for lights, soldering, carpentry, working with concrete, and figuring out how a dolos is designed. I also love exploring our South African heritage and started a Jisterday! range using house brands, vintage signs and even Volkspele songs. I make up my own glass art techniques, which is always something unique."

Advice to creatives

"The best advice I can give to up-and-coming creatives is to not be blinded by the 'limitations'. Join South African design platforms like the CCDI [Cape Craft and Design Institution], follow Pinterest, set up a Facebook and Instagram page and put your work out there on social media. Use AI to learn and assist you with design and development. When you are ready to sell, approach gift shops and apply for markets like Kamers. For people who are hesitant to make art or craft, I strongly advise you attend workshops and let your hands be led by an experienced teacher, and then go home and try it if you like it. Also look at YouTube tutorials and practise.

"In my experience, the hardest part is to market and sell your craft/art, but there are channels available. 

"My dream is to find a suitable space in Mossel Bay or the surrounding area to display and sell art, as we had before, and maybe connect with someone nearby who has a passion and social media skills to promote all my years of work."

Nominate our next creative

Would you like to nominate someone for this weekly feature? It could be anyone in the Mossel Bay area you believe is a creative in our community. Send your nomination to [email protected] or WhatsApp it to 072 729 7121.

Please include the following: the name of the person you are nominating, the reason for the nomination, your contact details, and the nominee's contact details. Who knows - your local artist might be featured in our next 'Creatives' Corner/Kreatiewe Hoekie'! 

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