O
ne of the most keenly anticipated art events on the Western Cape cultural calendar, Solo Studios – Intimate Art Encounters, is back this summer. Currently in its fifth edition, Solo Studios is traditionally held over the Women’s Day weekend at the beginning of August. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event had to be postponed and is now scheduled to take place over the weekend of 11-13 December. The creative community of the Riebeek Valley, which encompasses the twin towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West, took the opportunity during the months of lockdown to develop the concept of what has become known as Arts Town Riebeek Valley, an umbrella platform which unites initiatives and projects which create and develop products within the cultural tourism sector. Arts Town Riebeek Valley is also breathing new life into the Performing Arts through the Royal Arts Town Amphitheatre’s Summer Theatre Season, the Olive Branch Project’s community performance initiatives and the return of First Fridays which has been expanded into a weekend long event of live productions, shopping and eating experiences. Solo Studios – Intimate Art Encounters 17 Artists’ Studios The core of Solo Studios has always been the studio artists, who once a year collectively open their studios to a limited number of art aficionados, collectors and investors. This not only provides the visitor with unique insights into the creative processes and inspirations of the artists, but also an opportunity to engage directly with the creators of their works and to purchase art ‘fresh off the easel’.
Every year a new application and selection process is followed to ensure both continuity and variety. The 2020 selected studio artists are: Anton Momberg, Sharon Bischoff, Tamlin Blake, Gordon Williams, Solly Smook, Claudia Gurwitz, Greta McMahon, Riaan van Zyl, Ade Kipades, Louisa Gerryts, Francois van Vuuren, Tanja Mayo, Emma Willemse, Jenny Parsons, Anthony Harris and Wiehan de Jager. Bottom Row Left to right: Studio Clauda Gurwitz. Studio André Francois van Vuuren. Andries Dirks will hold his first solo exhibition titled Klipkinders