The Midlands is the ideal place for artists to flourish, create, and display their skills. Now in its third year, the Harcourts Hilton Art in the Country has provided a platform for artists to exhibit and sell their art to visitors and collectors publicly. The event was held from May 23 to 26 at Harrington House in Hilton and a special ribbon cutting by the Deputy Mayor of uMngeni, Sandile Mnikathi, celebrated its official opening.
Kathy Jacob, a local artist who felt a gap in the market for a quality and upmarket platform where artists could exhibit, arranged this event. After a rigorous selection process due to so many competent artist submissions, Kathy gathered 64 artists to showcase their talents, ensuring a broad selection of media and subject matters while maintaining her goal of quality over quantity. Media selections varied from paintings to drawings, ceramics, bronzes, glass, and linocuts.
Some artists were from the Western Cape, East London, Grahamstown, Limpopo, and notable first-time artists included Thamasanga Mfuphi from Johannesburg. His works are inspired by his life experiences, rural upbringing, and finding purpose as an artist. His canvas of choice is old prison blankets donated by Mpumalanga Correctional Services, which he exchanges with doing art with inmates.
Kathy proudly included four artists; Caroline Richter, Janine van Deventer, Marti Simpson, and Megan Baldrey from her studio at Rotunda Farm Stall in Hilton. They are new artists and have built up their portfolio two years before exhibiting. Some esteemed visitors included senior art pupils from local high schools, whom Kathy invited to enjoy the artworks and connect with the artists. “The experience of the visitors at Art in the Country should be memorable, having enjoyed top class art by artists from around the country, fine eats by Jackie Cameron’s School of Food & Wine, and beautiful music by the renowned singer René Tshiakanyi and Dezz, not to mention the breathtaking views and perfect weather. We continue to improve each year, learning from the year before, aiming for excellence,” Kathy shared.
Some of the sponsors included Hilton Harcourts, Harrington House, Investec, and Hilton Quarry SuperSpar. With an increase in foot traffic, the event generated R1.6 million in art sales, which topped that of the previous two years.
We look forward to what Art in the Country will present onwards, and it will undoubtedly rise from the accolades given by the media, which described it as KwaZulu-Natal’s premium art exhibition.
Words by: Alicia du Plessis
Contact Details: kathyart2022@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Jason Johnson Photography and Michaela-Skye Collop Media