Painting for a cause

Over 50 artists gathered at The Pavilion Shopping Centre on August 11th, to compete in a one day art competition, as a part of a campaign that will change lives, and save others.

Pictured is Warren Raysdorf, a first year student at CFAD, who was placed second in the tertiary category.
Artists who are studying art or design at any of the tertiary institutions, who are taking art at their school, who make a living creating and exhibiting their work, or some who are just the type who love to express themselves through painting, all came forward in a united stand for beauty and expression and charity.

Saturday, August 11th, saw over 50 artists working throughout the mall to create a piece of art incorporating both branding and a sunflower. Their media and materials differed as much as their subject and style. Shoppers and visitors were able to watch as these pieces were created.

The competition was judged by two very well known figures in the art world, Jill Addleson, former curator of the Durban Art Gallery, and Bongani Mkhonza, Education Officer at the Durban Art Gallery. The prize giving took place on Sunday the 12th, at 11am in the Fountain Court. The winners in the three categories were Bradley Schwartz [Open], Xolile Mazibuko [Institution] and Brandon Jarret [school], with Bradley Schwartz taking the overall ‘Life in the Mall’ Grand Prix prize. R12 000 worth of Pavilion vouchers were shared amongst the ecstatic winners.

And the fantastic reason for this competition? Well, The event was part of a campaign to raise awareness and help raise funds to build the Bone Marrow Registry of South Africa to aid leukaemia sufferers in the country. The Sunflower Fund aims to educate and recruit well informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors that are ethnically diverse in an effort to save the lives of those needing a transplant when suffering from life-threatening blood disorders.
For more information on The Sunflower Fund or on how to become a bone marrow stem cell donor contact toll free 0800 12 10 82 or visit their website www.sunflowerfund.org.za

Article written by Leigh Vermaak