A Visual Arts Network of South Africa
by Sean O'Toole
In our last issue we reported news of an initiative aiming to establish a nationally representative visual arts structure. The International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) met in Johannesburg on November 16 to further discuss a process that will culminate in the launch of the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA) in March 2003.
Says Frank Ledimo of Wits Art Galleries and national convenor of the VANSA Interim Steering Committee: "Whatever the other results of the recent International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) Conference in Cape Town, this is certainly a positive spin-off for the arts in our country." Ledimo was elected by visual artists at the INCD conference to represent their interests in a national forum with other disciplines.
Using a similar model to the one that resulted in the launch of the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA), the Interim Steering Committee agreed to launch a branch of VANSA in Gauteng on March 15, in Durban on March 22 and in Cape Town on March 27, 2003. Each of these provinces will be linked to less-resourced provinces to assist them in the establishment of VANSA branches there, culminating in a national launch later in the year.
Well know curator Clive Kellner was elected as the convenor in Gauteng, Zayd Minty and Estelle Jacobs elected as co-convenors in the Western Cape, while Storm Janse van Rensburg was elected as the KwaZulu Natal convenor. Also in attendance were Stephen Hobbs, Amos Letsoalo, Dianne Breedt, Joseph Gaylard and Chantal Collet (Gauteng); Sue Williamson and Conrad Theys (Western Cape) and Gabi Ngcobo, John Smith, Nise Malange and Virginia MacKenny (KwaZulu Natal).
For further information, contact Frank Ledimo at:
Tel: 011. 717-1361
E-mail: ledimom@artgalleries.wits.ac.za
Regional contacts:
Clive Kellner - 011. 447-3022 or e-mail ronelkellner@mweb.co.za
Zayd Minty - 021. 465-4996 or e-mail one@intekom.co.za
Estelle Jacobs - 021. 424-7436 or e-mail estava@iafrica.com
Storm Janse van Rensburg - 031. 202-3686 or e-mail iartnsa@mweb.co.za
