The winner of last year\u2019s inaugural National Craft Awards, Thami Kitty, said that winning the competition has generated much interest in his work.<\/p>\n
His range of intricately carved walking sticks impressed the judges enough for him to take the first prize from a host of world-class crafters who had entered what is the country\u2019s only national craft competition.<\/p>
The resident of Khayelitsha in the Western Cape travelled to Mpumalanga\u2019s capital city of Mbombela for the awards evening in mid-2017, where he not only pocketed R50 000 in prize money but was given the chance to network with the who\u2019s who in the South African craft sector.<\/p>\n
Proudly Xhosa, Thami said his work is \u201call about my culture\u201d.<\/p>
Most of his carvings depict animals \u2013 either so realistically rendered that you almost expect to see them breathe, or created with whimsy and humour.<\/p>\n
He started carving in 1992 when he was in his early 20s but as a child growing up in rural Transkei without commercially bought toys, he would go to the river to collect clay to make animals.<\/p>\n
This early dabbling in clay led to drawing and eventually, after school, to wood carving.<\/p>\n
Today, Thami\u2019s work has been included in a number of exhibitions.<\/p>\n
If you think you are another Thami, then submit a photo of your work for consideration.<\/p>\n
Crafters have until April 20 to enter.<\/p>\n
They need simply take a photo of their entry \u2013 next to a matchbox for the size of scale, and either email it to crafts@innibos.co.za or send it to 071 621 3597 via MMS or WhatsApp.<\/p>\n
There is no entry fee.<\/p>\n
Remember to include your name, the town in which you live and your contact details.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Church helps those who need it most<\/a><\/p>\n Crowns, sashes and helping people thrill Jessica<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entrants who have not heard from the organisers within 30 days of the closing date, must take it as a given that they did not make the shortlist for final judging.<\/p>\n Sixty entries will be shortlisted and these will form part of an exhibition to be held in Mbombela during the Innibos National Arts Festival from June 24 to 30.<\/p>\n The finalists must be available to attend the awards evening on June 24, at which the winners will be announced.<\/p>\n The winner of the Platinum Award will receive R50 000, the Gold Award winner will pocket R20 000 and the Silver R15 000.<\/p>\n There will also be merit awards for the Best Emerging Craftsmen, along with sound financial advice to grow their business.<\/p>\n In addition, a Craft Retail Apprenticeship with Tourvest Destination Retail will be bestowed on one of the winners.<\/p>\n Entries in the disciplines of ceramics, beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and printing, quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media are invited.<\/p>\n A panel of judges with a passion for developing South Africa\u2019s creative talent has been convened, including Harrie Siertsema (Delagoa Trading, collector and art patron), Wendy Goldblatt (internationally-known ceramist), Maureen Waldeck (brand manager for Tourvest Destination Retail\u2019s stores and retail brands and a seasoned retailer with an exceptional eye for merchandise), Joseph Mathe (National Department of Arts and Culture responsible for the development of crafts), Thabo Manetsi (director: Western and Northern Cape provinces – leading in heritage development) and Fran Stewart (Craft + Design Institute\u2019s market support programme manager).<\/p>\n For information, contact Jan Bhuda on 083 719 1731 or email John Anthony Boerma at artaid@lantic.net.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n