Coming of  Age is a retrospective exhbition of Artist Proof Studio (started by Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba in 1991). For more on Artist Proof see  http://www.artistproofstudio.co.za/ .   There are also many works by more established artists – both South Africans as well as visiting international artists.  With many sub-sections put together by different curators, the exhibition is overwhelming to take in on one visit – and that is certainly no complaint!  So be prepared to go back twice and more. Also the printing processes are many, varied and complex and it really helps to see the actual processes before going round the exhibition.  So before starting to view the works, my advice would be to make your way down to the basement level and turn left (ie to the eastern part of the building) where,  in the far corner, you will find artists from the Studio demonstrating  the various printing techniques.  For a non-printmaker to begin to internalize the complexities of the processes before confronting the works is really valuable.  And once one has only the most superficial of insight and understanding into the consummate skill of these artists, the images inspire even greater awe.   It is a real gem of an exhibition NOT to be missed. With another two months to go make sure you leave time to go back 2 or 3 times.   The exhibition runs until the 6th July. You are in for a treat – enjoy. I certainly will be going back. 

For more information on the background to the exhibition see  http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=29903 

CraigPark Residents’ Association  

The CRA is driven by an amazingly energetic and hard working Committee – one the most pro-active, effective and visionary Residents’ Associations in Joburg.  These extraordinary people carry out their portfolios with commitment,  passion and hard work. To name but a few: Ryan Roseveare (Chair); Wendy McAllister (Vice Chair and Communications), Paulette Malcomess (Civic Affairs and Environment); and Bianca De Roland Phillips (Town Planning), Mack Rogan (Traffic), & Sue Harris (Community Affairs).  They and others on their team have been leaders in managing refuse collection, town planning  & environmental aspects, and work tirelessly for our neighbourhoods at issues  ranging from potholes, to security, to domestic watch training sessions. For more on their work  see www.cra.org.za.  There are also regular updates on community issues on   http://www.facebook.com/craigparkresidentsassociation.

South African woods,  a quick lesson in making cheese and finding the perfect honey

The really very special mix of Craighall Park was particularly evident at Saturday’s event. While Craighall Park is very much a suburban neighbourhood, there are also many small owner run businesses located along Jan Smuts and in several local shopping centres such as The Colony, The Lancaster, 9 Grafton Ave, and the Valley Shopping Centre.  Seeing many of these owners at their stands on Saturday, brought home to me what a sense of locale and community we have in Craighall Park.

Fabulous aromas wafted from various food stalls offered by the likes of Casalottis (fabulous thin based pizzas), the Market Place (tasty home cooked food), Fatima’s great samoosas (yum – wish I’d brought some home with me), Steers fast food,  (consistently good), Hodges family run restaurant in the Colony, Helen’s cakes, (great croissants and muffins too), lamb on the spit from Mannie’s excellent Craighall Park Meat Supply (also make wonderful chicken thigh kebabs); and many more. And I even learnt all about cheese from Pepe who makes goat’s cheese (right here in Lancaster Avenue) using non-pasteurized milk which he gets from the goats kept by Onderstepoort Veterinary  Faculty near Pretoria. 

I bought vegetable seedlings (bok choi and swiss chard) from Danielle at the Vegetable Club (which is holding a vegetable competition next Saturday 12^th down at the REEA Foundation) and I treated myself to a wonderful handmade wooden pen made from Leadwood by Frans Joubert.  Frans uses all sorts of Southern African woods – Tambotie, Wild Olive, African Blackwood, African Red Ivory – to make his pens and pencils. Great presents!    And of course I found the perfect honey. See  http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/like-pooh-bear-i-have-searched-for-the-perfect-honey-pot  

Two local residents had tracked down Peter Rattray, the great great grandson of William Rattray who developed the townships of Craighall and Craighall Park. Peter hand-drew a  map of the old Craighall Park with a key to the sites of yesteryear, which created a lot of interest.   I have written briefly on the history of Craighall Park http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/exhilarating-air-of-peace-and-calmness-accommodation-in-craighall-park and there is more information on http://www.cra.org.za/index.cfm/p/pages.history-overview.htm.  Given William Rattray’s strong Scottish connections it was fitting that there was a wonderful pipe band which added to ceremony and atmosphere of the day on Saturday.

So well done to all the people who worked so hard to make this such a success with special mention to Wendy and Bianca. 

Andrew Lyndsay of the Spaza Gallery is hosting a fab Valentine’s event.    Starting at 4 pm at 19 Wilhelmina St Troyeville there is a Valentine’s exhibition followed by a show by Venus Mercedes. Book via email emp@intekon.co.za or on 082 494 3275/ 082 957 0052. Cost R150 per head.

Jozi Carnival   The 2011 theme of the annual Joburg Carnival is Jozi my Jozi 125 celebrating the anniversary of the city’s existence.  It will take place on 31 December from 12pm and leaves from Kotze Street, moving across Nelson Mandela Bridge to Newtown.  

Laser show at Carnival City   On 31^st go along to Carnival City at 7 pm where their annual fireworks display will be replaced by a more animal-friendly but equally spectacular laser light show.  The show is free. Carnival City is situated on the intersection of the N17 toll road Snake Road (Heidelberg Road or R23) and Elsburg Road (R554) Johannesburg, South Africa

Nutcracker on Ice at Monte Casino   There are still tickets for Pieter Toerien’s  presentation of the  Imperial Ice stars in The Nutcracker on Ice at Monte Casino at 7.30 pm.