Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched a competition for local crafters to win the opportunity to display their wares at a Craft Village that will be set up at the prestigious 2018 Standard Bank Ironman African Championship in April.
The final decision on who makes the cut will be made after an exhibition on Friday, 23 March at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum.
According to Mayoral Committee member for Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, Siyasanga Sijadu, the competition will be tough.
She said only 20 crafters, either individuals or groups, will be selected for this unique opportunity. “Every selected entrant, whether it is a joint effort or not, will receive R3 000 to improve their product offering,” she said.
Sijadu said that crafters must “contemplate how best to capture the spirit of Nelson Mandela Bay” to improve their chances.
“This is important as the craft extravaganza is envisioned to showcase the spirit of Nelson Mandela Bay and will form part of build-up events to the much anticipated 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in September,” she said.
“Professional judges will select the top entrants based on their ability to capture the spirit of Nelson Mandela Bay, quality of workmanship, diversity of their products, sufficient products to exhibit and their overall presentation,”Sijadu said.
“Entries will be accepted in all craft categories including locally produced attire, homeware, accessories (both traditional and contemporary), leatherwork, woodwork, beadwork, ceramics, recycled material, textiles and any pioneering new mediums.”
The Craft Village will run from the 13th April (Friday) to the 15th April (Sunday). Standard Bank Ironman African Championship 2018 takes place on 14 and 15 April.
(Statement: Supplied)
