The Wilderness Art Festival 27 – 29 February 2020
From revered artists shaping how the Garden Route community appreciates creative expression to up-and-coming talented individuals presenting their work for the very first time, the Wilderness Art Festival is an annual event fueled by imagination and driven by passion. Hosted by the Wilderness Art Association and sponsored by Urban Jungle Interior Design, 2020 marks the second Wilderness Art Festival, taking place in one of the most astounding natural settings of South Africa.
Over the course of 3 days during the Summer month of February, a myriad of artworks will be displayed throughout the seaside town of Wilderness, attracting tourists from near and far, proving to be a colourful and creative addition to their vacation along the southern coast. This event celebrates art across a variety of forms and styles, while live music, craft and food markets and engaging kid’s activities will also form part of the Wilderness Art Festival. You won’t want to miss out on this diverse, creative and family-friendly Garden Route festival!
Take in the unique and captivating art of talented Garden Route locals, mingle with inspired makers of art and discover the hidden gems of a small town with a big heart and plenty to share. The picturesque location of Wilderness elevates this unique art festival and the area is also home to some of the best sundowners in the Garden Route as well as a selection of top hiking trails with rewarding views – natures very own work of art!
While the Wilderness Art Festival encourages artists to share their creative works and network with one another, it also shows appreciation for local businesses that support the art community and make it possible for this event (and art overall) to be considered an integral revenue stream. The events mesmerizing Art Walk is a highlight of the Wilderness Art Festival and showcases the works of various artists within surrounding shops, galleries, restaurants, estate agent offices and other facilities and public spaces. To simply pass through town while running an errand leads to delight, while last year’s inaugural event hosted 67 Garden Route artists.
Another exciting and on trend event that forms part of this upcoming art festival is the Night of a 1000 Drawings, with all proceeds going towards The Seven Passes Initiative. The Seven Passes Initiative is a Rural Youth Development Project that supports, improves and creates youth education opportunities while also preventing violence in the rural areas nearby. Those who wish to create an A5 doodle and donate it can do so on the 28th February – drop boxes will be located at the Cabesa Gallery in Palms Garden Square as well as The Little Art Shop in the Garden Route city of George. Each doodle forming part of the Night of a 1000 Drawing’s event will be sold for R 100.
Celebrate art and connect with people who share a love for creation and expression, while spending time in the welcoming seaside village of Wilderness. During your stay, visit the nearby towns of George and Sedgefield to discover an array of fun-filled activities, while a little further are Knysna (famous for producing world class oysters!) and Plettenberg Bay, the latter forming part of the alluring Garden Route Wine Tasting coastal hotspot which is well worth the scenic drive! Looking for the perfect spot to surf the best Garden Route waves? Victoria Bay (affectionately referred to as “Vic Bay”) is one of the country’s best surfing destinations, sheltered by large cliffs and perfect for whale and dolphin watching.
Choose your ideal Wilderness holiday accommodation – from a range of stunning apartments, homes and villas to beachfront guests houses and village center hotels. Check out our Garden Route Pet-Friendly Guide and make sure your four-legged companions form part of your holiday adventures.
For more information on this year’s Wilderness Art Festival, contact Carole Durrant by emailing carole@bcreative-design-print.co.za or calling 082 569 0800.
Wilderness Art Festival 2020 – Program
Wilderness Hotel & Common
Thursday 27th
Rudi Lombard & Patrick Botto |
Foot and Mouth Painters – Painting Demonstration |
10am |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Marliza van den Berg & Riana Scheepers | Art from Ashes
Knysna Fires Inspires Healing Art A journey of Healing. We were all affected by the Knysna Fires of 2017 and Wilderness 2018, either directly or indirectly. This is a talk of how community members have found healing through pouring out emotions into art. Together with the Poem “Farleigh” by Riana Scheepers.
|
12pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Anthony Nobel |
Art Demo – Always an inspiration not to be missed. | 4pm | Wilderness HotelPalm 1 Conference Room |
Launch Evening
|
Launch Evening Welcome to over 80 South African Artists. Light Buffet / Wine & Live Music Lauren Smith |
6pm |
The Wilderness Hotel 1st floor Lounge |
Connor Derfoldy |
Fire Dancer |
8pm
|
The Wilderness Common |
Gypsy James |
Music |
1pm-4pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Mr Ian |
Music |
2pm-5pm |
The Wilderness Hotel 1st floor Lounge |
Lauren Smith |
Music |
5-8pm |
The Wilderness Hotel 1st floor Lounge |
Lilah Oldfield |
Music |
5-8pm |
Wilderness Hotel 1st floor Lounge |
Friday 28th
Roy Viera Forte and Cronje Lemmer
|
Introductory talk on Calligraphy to explain the technique |
10am |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Estee Hanekom |
Regraft Demo – the merging the passions for Art and Nature |
12pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Ashley Coetzee |
Art Savings Club All Media Demo |
2pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
WAA |
Night of 1 000 Drawings – The Wilderness, Hoekwil and George Community have collected over 1 200 A5 Paintings / Drawings and Doodles for this charity event. The artworks will sell for R100 each the beneficiary being Seven Passes Initiative. |
5pm |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Donovan Willis |
Music |
10am-12pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Driftwinds |
Music |
4.30pm–7.30 |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Busking Donovan |
Music |
7.30pm – |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Saturday 29th
7 Passes Drummers / Fencers |
Drum and Fencing Demo at Hotel |
9.00am |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Hein Botha & Natasha |
Kids Painting Workshop |
11am |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Ryan Loubser |
Painting Demo |
12pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Cathy Fourie |
Testing and Demo Little Art Shop |
1pm |
Wilderness HotelPalm 1 Conference Room |
Kevin Coffee Artist |
Coffee and Paint Pouring |
2pm |
Wilderness Hotel Palm 1 Conference Room |
Kelly |
Freedom Feathers Fashion Show |
3pm |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Carolines Chocolate Haven / WAA |
Chocolate / Art / Wine Pairing |
4pm |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Gaston Lehman |
Music |
11am-2pm |
Wilderness Hotel Upstairs Lounge |
Rooted Souls |
Music |
3pm-6pm |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Donovan Willis |
Busking Music |
6pm- |
Wilderness Hotel Pool Area |
Palms Garden Square
An explosion of Art plus….
Biance Ralph |
Body Marbling |
10am |
Friday 28th |
Gaston Lehman |
Music |
2pm-5pm |
Thursday 27th |
Minx |
Music |
10am-1pm |
Friday 28th |
Hanna-Lee |
Music |
2pm-5pm |
Friday 28th |
Minx |
Music |
2pm-5pm |
Saturday 29th |
Milkwood Village
Explosion of Art plus…
Khoi Sun Moon – Macramé / Gem Jewellery
Keenan – Leatherworks
Candy Floss Lady
Ennie – Schweschwe African Fabric Crafts
Handmade Clothing and T-shirts
And much much more…..
Music – Thursday – Dave Knowles, Friday – Keenan, Ian Goosen, Josh Roxton, Saturday Finn & Kurt
Other Events…
- Cocomo Restaurant, Streetside deck – Wine Tasting and Sales / Boerie Braai / Ingrid Nuss Art / Live Music: Thursday 27th 10am – 1pm Donovan Willis, Friday 28th 1-4pm Dave Knowles, Saturday 10am-1pm Mr Ian
- Girls on the Square – Gin Tasting
- Blind Pig – Live Brew Saturday 29th
- Beejuice Cafe – Cash Bar & Outdoor Cooking Experience with Special Bush Menu, Art by Anna Stone
- Green Shed Coffee Roastery – Draw a Keepsake Table Cloth and Coffee & Cake Special R60.
- Pomodoro – Wine Tasting & Tapas Pairing – Thursday 27th 4-6pm, Friday 28th 3.30-5.30pm, Saturday 29th 2-4pm.
- Urban Jungle Interiors – Offering a 15% Discount for the duration of the Wilderness Art Festival 2020.