The South African Artist – July 2019

57

the lure of presenting

the small

There is no doubt that the annual art exhibition of the Miniature Art Society

of South Africa serves as a main incentive to its countrywide membership

to present only the best they have to offer.

This annual event has become an institution with the Miniature Art
Society of South Africa (MASSA) and months beforehand, a dedicated
committee initiates all the daunting tasks of determining suitable
dates; booking the venue; selecting the correct easels and display
boards; correct lighting to enhance each little miniature (which, on
occasion, has proven to be one of the society’s greatest obstacles);
duty rosters to be drawn up; submission of artworks; selection of
judges; judging of these works by highly professional artists; preparing
for the hanging and display of these works by securing each painting
to the boards, with wires and tongs, called “Whiskering”; transporting
of these large boards of precisely hung paintings, with absolute
care to protect the valuable cargo; advertising; printing; invitations;
photographing of accepted works..... the list is never ending. All of this
can be compared to arrangements for a wedding feast.

This year the Society is most excited about the fact that we have been
granted the Centre Court at Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg for our
exhibition. A position that will allow us to also exhibit larger works,
which we are very excited about. This Centre has given us many years
of a beautiful venue in which to exhibit, for which we are very grateful,
and the Centre Court is truly a plum position. We trust that it will draw
many more entries from members.

We are a small society compared to other international societies,

and it is truly commendable that we can offer prizes in the different

categories we have, such as: Oils (includes oil pastels), Water media

(watercolours, watercolour pencils, acrylics, gouache) and drawings

(pencil, coloured pencil, graphite, charcoal, scratchboard, dry-point

etching). If any sculptures are submitted, there would also be a

category for sculpture, but at present we don’t have members who do

sculpting. Each year we also have a “special challenge” category and

this year the challenge is “Through the Window”. 1st, 2nd and Highly

Commended prizes are awarded in each category.

Every year a new charity is chosen, and we have a raffle of one of our

beautiful miniatures to bring in funds for the charity. This has delighted

many institutions, such as the ‘School for the Deaf’, ‘POWA (People

Opposed to Women Abuse), The Society for “Animals in Distress” and

S.A.T.A.I.S.A (Saving Animals Through Art in South Africa). “Eseltjies

Rus”in the Cape was our charity last year. This organisation take in

abandoned and abused donkeys. All of these institutions have been

most grateful for our support.

This year our raffle will be dedicated to supporting ‘Little Eden’

who provide life-long care to 300 children and adults with profound

intellectual disability. We hope to see many readers’ names on our

raffle lists.

2019 EXHIBITION:

Centre Court at Hyde Park Corner

1st to 7th October 2019

09h30 to 17h00 Tuesday and Wednesday

09h00 to 21h30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday

09h30 to 17h00 Sunday

09h30 to 13h00 Monday - Raffle Draw

Please pay us a visit if you are in the area and come and view these

precious little gems!

“TOUCHED BY LIGHT” challenge

Left: 1st prize:

“LEAVES ARE LIGHT FILTERS”

by Paul Allan

oil painting

Right: 2nd prize:

“LAST KISS AS SUN SLEEPS”

by Amy Jane van den Berg

oil painting

Left: Highly Commended:

“SUNSET TOUCH”

by Joy Gibson

oil painting