Images from delightful Art Walk with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, December 2012

On a hot and sticky day in early December, we set out with staff and friends of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, along the Art Walk in Central, Port Elizabeth. We popped in at the following: the Ron Belling Art Gallery, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, ART Gallery, artEC Gallery and the Tin House on Cuyler.

The Ron Belling Art Gallery is a converted Art Deco house situated in parkland Port Elizabeth. Although commercial, the Gallery is philanthropic in its commitment to promoting and encouraging an appreciation of art, especially in programmes aimed at the youth. The Gallery prides itself on the high standard of exhibitions by both established artists and local artists with promising talent. A permanent collection of Ron Belling Military Aviation paintings is also housed in the Gallery and was acquired for the benefit and enrichment of the Eastern Cape community.

Address: 30 Park Drive, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Contact: Robyn Sharwood Phone: 041 586 3973

Email: ronbelling@mweb.co.za Website: www.ronbelling.co.za

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, formerly the King George VI Art Gallery, was opened on 22 June 1956 and renamed in December 2002. The collections are housed in two buildings framing the entrance to St George’s Park and consist of South African art (particularly that of the Eastern Cape), British art, international printmaking and Oriental art (including Indian miniatures and Chinese textiles).

The Art Museum is open 7 days a week, except 1 January, Good Friday, Freedom Day, Workers’ Day, Youth Day & Christmas Day.

Weekdays: 09h00 – 18h00 (Closed Tuesday mornings); Saturdays, Sundays: 13h00 – 17h00;

Public Holidays: 14:00 – 17:00; irst Sunday of the month: 09h00 – 14h00

Please note: From 1 June – 31 August 2011, the closing times from Monday to Friday will be 17h00.

Last admission is 10 minutes before closing time. Clearance of the exhibition halls begins 5 minutes before closing time. Essential work may necessitate closing certain exhibition halls without notice. Admission is free, except for events with advertised fees.

ART, is a new art venue in Nelson Mandela Bay. This intimate and dynamic space is the new studio of Anthony Harris as well as a gallery space for small exhibitions and art interventions. The venue is also the offices of ART EVENTS – a company dedicated to the development of the Arts in Nelson Mandela Bay. Anthony Harris:

“I use the landscape as a metaphor. My work explores the complexity of the terrain in ways that challenge the viewers’ own boundaries and conventions of romanticising something, in the present, or may occur in the future – moving beyond our preconceived and comfortable human perceptions. These landscapes hold within them aspects other than pure nature – the panorama is composed of elements that bear witness to change and evolution.”

Times: Tuesdays to Fridays: 10h00 to 16h00 Saturdays: 10h00 to 13h00

Closed on Sundays, Mondays, public holidays and festive season (15 Dec to 15 Jan).

Click here to “Like” ART on Facebook.

Address: 51B Cuyler Street, Central Hill, Port Elizabeth

Contact: Anthony Harris Phone: 072 379 5933 Email: art.events@telkomsa.net

artEC (formerly EPSAC) is a non profit organisation and Community Art Centre, set up for the advancement of the Visual Arts and Art Craftsmanship by working to uplift the arts in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, helping artists and encouraging a public interest in the arts.

artEC is a community art centre which houses two galleries, artists’ studios and a courtyard coffee shop. Perfectly situated in central Port Elizabeth, artEC embraces all artists in the Eastern Cape and offers a platform from which artists can network and market their works. They are committed to providing educational opportunities that lead to improving the standards of Eastern Cape art, and raising awareness of the visual arts amongst the public. Exhibitions are held regularly on a two to three week basis. They also hold regular workshops and music/poetry evenings.

Gallery times: Monday to Friday: 09h00 to 16h00 Saturday: 09h00 to 13h00

Closed Sunday and Public Holidays

Address: 36 Bird Street, Central, Port Elizabeth

Contact: Phone: 041 585 3641 Fax: 086 274 7708

Email: gallery@artecpe.co.za Website: www.artecpe.co.za

Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=91324504037

The Tin House on Cuyler is a charming coffee shop situated at 35 Cuyler Street, Central (off Bird Street), Port Elizabeth. It is connected to Dessie’s at Bloomingdales in Walmer. Interesting exhibitions of art works can be found adorning the walls of this quaint and cottagey coffee shop. Although the menu is not as extensive as the one available at Dessie’s at Bloomingdales, the quality you have come to expect from them is evident in the food that they serve at The Tin House. The ever-popular hand-crafted butter biscuits and other tasty goodies for which Dessie’s has become known are also available at The Tin House on Cuyler.

Tel: 041 582 4933

Trading hours: Monday – Friday 8.15am – 4pm

Saturday 8.15 am – 12.30 pm

Sundays – Closed