Livingstone Remedial School in Durban has a vibrant arts programme that embraces pupils’ natural creativity, whilst casting the spotlight onto social and community issues.
Mrs Pat Jackson, Grade 2 teacher at Livingstone, has taken this a step further for the school’s annual Art Auction to be held on 17 September 2013. As part of the art auction, pupils in her class have been busy with creating their individual and group projects, in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal community organisations, including Umcebo Design, The Ubunye Co-Operative and info4africa.
Through this partnership, Umcebo Design and The Ubunye Co-Operative have guided the Grade 2 pupils through the creation of their group project, a jewelled rhino called Siyazama (“Progress” or “We are Progressing” – which is the Livingstone motto). Siyazama is a miniature rhino decorated in a similar style to that used on the two large rhinos that have been widely promoted in the media and enjoyed outings at House and Garden and the uShaka Airport. These rhinos form part of eThekwini Community Foundation’s Rhino Parade and have been used to highlight the importance of rhino conservation in South Africa. Umcebo Design’s team gave of their time and energy to guide the design and decoration of the rhino, and the Ubunye Co-Operative assisted with the creation of the group and individual art items.
Umcebo Design also created a new set of recycled plastic flowers especially for the Grade 2 pupils, which are being used to create flower arrangements as part of the art auction.
Mrs Jackson found the experience “enlightening for our pupils, as it brings real world craft skills into our classroom, and lets them experience interactions frombeyond school. Our parents have also given of their time and abilities with material donations and shown a keen interest in this project”. Heath Houston, a Grade 2 pupil had this to say: “I hope Siyazama gets a nice new home and I think the other models will look nice too”. Patricia Zungu, of the Ubunye Co-Operative found that “working with the children gave us an honesty and authentic creative experience, that is so different to working on our own programmes”.
The Livingstone School Art Auction takes place on 17 September and is an annual event is a fundraising initiative hosted by and for the school. For more information on this event, please call 031 312 2026/7 or email: marketing@livingstoneremedial.co.za
More information:
Livingstone Remedial School caters for children with Specific Learning Disabilities. The school is a short-term remedial centre where those with Learning Disabilities are taught by specialised staff trained in the knowledge of Learning Disabilities and related disorders. Website: www.livingstoneremedial.co.za
Umcebo Design is a multi-faceted arts and design organisation, firmly focussed on being a trend setter and market leader in the fields of South African art, craft and design. Through partnership programmes and commercial opportunities, Umcebo Design creates unique avenues for socially conscious arts and culture initiatives. Website: www.umcebodesign.co.za
Ubunye Co-Operative is a cohesive and enterprising group that hails from Mzimela Tribal Authority. This community initiative created dramatic and striking works for an exhibition at the KZNSA Gallery, entitled “Intellectual Property”. The Co-Operative has worked with info4africa and Umcebo Design to create two rhinos, entitled Yenza and Nkanyezi. These rhinos were part a collaborative art project put together by the Ethekwini Community Foundation and co-ordinated by Umcebo Design. Website: www.theubunyecoop.wordpress.com
info4africa is a specialist data collection and networking agency, which focuses on health, wellbeing and development services in South Africa. With a strong focus on arts and culture programmes, info4africa provides facilitatory assistance to The Ubunye Co-Operative. Website: www.info4africa.org.za
More Info link:: http://www.livingstoneremedial.co.za
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Author: Cath Jenkin from info4africa. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
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Siyazama the Rhino | Group Project at Livingstone Remedial School Photographer: info4africa
