The judging was conducted by independent university art lecturers and well known local artists.
Due to their enthusiastic encouragement recognition was given to a larger number of participants in each of the different categories than had originally been intended.
Apart from floating trophies and certificates, winners also received breathtaking cash prizes from Bidvest Bank, vouchers for spending at Stonehaven on Vaal, a Damelin tertiary certificate course, art classes from Kenosis Art School, Rotary’s Usborne Illustrated Dictionaries, books from the Rotary Humanitarian Centre, toys, stationery, party packs, glo-sticks and much more.
More than 400 people attended the prize-giving in support of the 1 300 young Vaal Triangle artists who entered.
The event took place recently at Stonehaven on Vaal in Vanderbijlpark. Amongst the dignitaries were Professor Pierre Lucouw, the Vaal Triangle Patron of Art and current President of the RC Vanderbijlpark, with his wife Susan, Rotary D9400 District Governor Anton Meerkotter from Middelburg, D9300 Past District Governor Trevor Nienaber with his wife PDGA Zurika, Assistant Governor Michael Fraser, current Presidents, Presidents Elect Hannes Malan with his wife Helene and Angela Andrasyan-Van Pletzen with husband PP Johan, Past Presidents, valued sponsors and donors of trophies and prizes, school principals and teachers, choirs of Pinedene and Kollege Park Primary Schools with their choir masters and soloists, singer Jean-Michael du Plessis, proud parents and the artists themselves, from pre-schoolers to adults. Bidvest Bank was represented by Mr Duncan Nkosi from Johannesburg.
The purpose of the initiative – originally the brainchild of Rotarian and “Paul Harris” Fellow Rosemary Anderson – is to promote the practice of art, to create awareness of the necessity for financial support for children during their years of education and to raise funds for the benefit of needy grade R learners at Pinedene Primary’s facility.
The motivation behind the project is to provide and run a project in which children’s talents and participation can be utilised to benefit children who are in need.
Professor Lucouw appealed to the children, to continue with their art.
“Teachers and parents support and encourage children to practice art, and Rotary, promoting art continues,” he said.
Stonehaven on Vaal staff provided and prepared the beautiful venue on the banks of the Vaal River and also sponsored a cruise for Kollege Park Primary School staff in recognition of their record number of 713 entries. Flowers for the venue were donated by Fresh Cut Flowers.
The works of art and calendars (with pictures of the winning art works) can be purchased from Elsa Venter on 082 858 1271 during December on Sunday (Christmas Markets at Stonehaven) and in January 2012 from Angela Andrasyan-van Pletzen at Pinedene Primary School.
All funds raised are for the benefit of the Children 4 Children Project, a combined project of the Rotary Clubs of Riverside and Vanderbijlpark, especially to assist needy Grade R learners.
* Enquiries about the activities of these two Rotary Clubs can be directed to PP Johan van Pletzen 082 855 9171 for RC Riverside and PN Celeste Lance on 083 453 2178 for RC Vanderbijlpark.The C4C Project is run by a combined committee under the chairmanship of PE Angela Andrasyan-Van Pletzen at pinedene@cybersmart.co.za.
Source: vaalfindit.com