FynArts Newsletter 2020/4

Dear FynArts Supporters

While FynArts 2020 is cancelled in its present form as we announced in March, we are pleased to report progress on our plans to continue to work closely with performers, artists and other partners to develop creative ways to offer some of the cancelled events in the months ahead.

We are soon to officially launch Hermanus FynArts Select 2020 – a programme of selected virtual and weekend events during the rest of 2020 aimed at keeping in touch and bringing you news of the artists, performers and presenters on this year’s excellent programme.

During the festival dates of 5 – 16 June we plan to offer selected events via both recorded and live-streaming and, as soon as possible thereafter, present a few stimulating and uplifting weekends of FynArts Select. More information about dates and content will follow once the future is a little clearer.

On 1 May we will make the final decision as to whether the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award will go ahead this year. If so, new dates for submission and judging will be announced. The exhibition is always taken down at the end of September when the barrels are filled with new wine. We therefore need to take this into consideration.

Should we need to cancel the 2020 competition, Biomimicry, the theme will be repeated for 2021. This topical and relevant theme encourages artists to think about what we can learn from nature to solve human challenges – with a focus on sustainability, resilience and regeneration. This timeous topic was chosen by Peter Finlayson.
Click here to get a glimpse of what happens in the cellar once the tondi have been taken down.

Exhibitions will go ahead during the festival dates, or as soon as allowed thereafter. Artists are hard at work during the lockdown.
Click here to view ceramicist Diane Heesom Greene at work in preparation for FynArts.

Says thread artist Lesley Jurgens: “… lots and lots of machine and hand stitching to do – seems like it’s evolving from cracked earth to stone henge – by the time I’m finished it will be something else. All part of the process.”

Pioneer Freight Sculpture on the Cliffs and its artists, will be the topic of our next newsletter.

Onward and upward together.

Warmest wishes
Mary Faure
Festival Director