Reaching a hand of hope across the ocean, an Edmonton silent auction of North American and South African art raised just under $17,000 to support artists in rural South Africa who are part of the award-winning Keiskamma Art Project.
Hosted by Women of Hope (part of the Stephen Lewis Grandmother to Grandmother movement) and Keiskamma Canada Foundation, the October 23 event at Edmonton’s Timms Centre for the Arts featured over 30 works donated by North American artists as well as exciting new pieces from South Africa.
South Africa’s contribution of textile artwork depicted scenes of birds, plant life, and other animals, crafted in brightly coloured collages of recycled and hand felted fabric. One distinct hanging, Cynthia’s Cloth, featuring a characteristic sacred cow, was a beautiful tribute to the earliest beadwork crafts initiated by the Art Project in Hamburg, SA.
Special guests at the auction included a South African grandmother and granddaughter who were visiting Alberta as part of AfriGrand Caravan, a Stephen Lewis initiative.
Annette Woudstra, Director of Keiskamma Trust, provided a brief update on the work in South Africa, where shortages in anti-AIDS medication are adding enormous strain to already burdened budgets.
Proceeds from the event will support The Keiskamma Trust, whose programs bring hope and healing in a neglected region of South Africa that is battling AIDS and ninety per cent unemployment.
Keiskamma Canada FoundationPO Box 34199, 126 Kingsway Mall Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaT5G 3G4www.keiskammacanada.com
