Local artist shines at Sydney Gift Fair

NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - Towards the end of last year, local contemporary ceramicist Charmaine Haines, was invited by Melanie Mahona, the Chairlady of SAWAA (South African Woman's Arts Association of South Africa), to participate in the AGHA/ Sydney Gift Fair in Australia.

This fantastic initiative was made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry in the South African Government.

Charmaine saw this as a great opportunity to expose her work further as although her work has been selling successfully on the Gold Coast for sometime now she'd never been to Australia herself.

In the end it was touch and go whether Charmaine would make it due to illness, but she made it there just in time with the help of her husband, Martin Haines who plays an integral part in her work and sales thereof.

The show was hugely successful with many important contacts made, and almost all of Charmaine's work sold. New contacts were also established with numerous galleries in Sydney.

Charmaine says that Sydney is one of the most outstanding modern cities with a strong buying power and many business opportunities.

Australia is the country that has been the longest out of a recession in the world, which really says something about its economy.

Charmaine says that it is important to mention that this opportunity was also made possible by a councillor at the Dr. Beyer's Naude Local Municipality, Municipal Manager's office.

She wishes to thank Ntombizanele Kubashe in particular for her commitment towards local economic development in the district and her vision to partner with the South African Women's Art Association, which has now opened doors that independent artists have been struggling to open for years.

The value of the DTI Sector Specific Assistance Sector program, which affords emerging artists the opportunity to enter new markets risk free, is immeasurable. Charmaine and Martin Haines have both been earmarked for an exhibition to show as artists in their own right in London in July, and in Amsterdam in December.

Melanie Mahona plays an important role in unlocking the connection between artists and business on the global stage. She is the person who connects the artists with the Municipality, who then applies to the DTI, which in turn makes opportunities such as this possible. As facilitator she sources all the markets and completes all the applications and service providers.

As project co-ordinator she is responsible for hanging and curating the show, marketing the exhibition to 1000 key targeted collectors and buyers, as well as contacting key South African businesses - as in the case of the Sydney Art Fair.

It is extremely important for artists to have someone passionate about the arts taking care of funding and the business side of things in terms of marketing.

Melanie was born and grew up in Kroonvale where she attended Spandau High School and matriculated with distinction in 1984, after which she left to go to University. She has recently returned to live in Graaff-Reinet permanently.

It is a remarkable achievement that this collaboration between local artists, the Municipal Offices and SAWAA has put the talent that Nieu-Bethesda has to offer, even more firmly on the global map.

Melanie Mahona plays an important role in unlocking the connection between artists and business on the global stage.