Retreat helps creative juices flow

KAROO NEWS - Karoo Spiritual Retreats hosted a clay sculpture workshop in Nieu-Bethesda from 29 July to 2 August. Sarina Engelbrecht of Karoo Spiritual Retreats was delighted to announce the success of the workshop.

This unique workshop retreat was led by the accomplished Dina Grobler from Heidelberg, a fine arts graduate and lecturer at the University of the Free State, renowned for her expertise and passion for clay and pottery.

The workshop was designed to facilitate self-development and empowerment through creative expression, attracting participants from Plettenberg Bay, Stilbaai, Muizenburg and Cape Town. Despite some attendees having no prior experience with clay, Grobler's patient guidance ensured that everyone could fully engage with the medium to create a portrait bust clay sculpture.

Nieu-Bethesda, celebrated for its artistic heritage and home to numerous world-renowned artists such as Charmaine Haines, Frans Boekkooi, David Langmead, and Albert Redelinghuys, provided the perfect backdrop for the creative journey. The Infinity Gallery, with its inspiring ambiance, served as the ideal venue for the workshop.

Engelbrecht says their retreats aim to connect people to earth and to themselves through art. "We believe that Nieu-Bethesda, with its vibrant artistic community and serene environment, is an ideal hub for learning and exploring the arts and for developing new skills of creative expression."

The five-day workshop culminated in a mini exhibition at Infinity Gallery, where students displayed their unfired clay works to the public, receiving appreciative feedback and encouragement.

Dina Grobler, the workshop facilitator, helping with the finer details.