The loosening of Covid’s grip was the signal for artist Kathy Jacob to finally realise her dream to showcase some of the country’s finest artists to an appreciative audience. Her idea found enthusiastic support to set the scene for the first-ever Art in the Country exhibition from May 27-29 at Harrington House in Hilton.“I wanted Art in the Country to resuscitate the proud artistic legacy of Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands,” said Jacob. “Jen Ortlepp’s offer for Harrington House as the venue bowled me over, it’s perfect!”
With artists clamouring for space from afar afield as the Western Cape, Limpopo, East London and Malawi, Jacob assembled an impressive gallery of 40 artists, with a waiting list.
The enthusiasm resonated with sponsors with Harcourts Hilton first out of the starting blocks.
“Andrew Line, being an artist himself, and Brian Wilkes were wonderfully supportive from day one and we couldn’t have organised Art in the Country without them.”
Other sponsors backing the event are Pick n Pay, The Avenues in Hilton, Landrover Pietermaritzburg and Nedbank, said Jacob.
“Our sponsors make it possible to present a premier exhibition with top class artists in superlative surroundings, it’s so humbling.
As a professional artist of more than 20 years standing and a top 10 earner at Art in the Park, Jacob plugged into a pent-up demand from fellow artists for a well-run event to draw in buyers and the public.
“Key to a successful selling exhibit is very simple; it needs the support from respected artists who produce sought-after work,” she said.
This Jacobs has achieved by assembling a gallery of 40 established artists and a waiting list of others clamouring to join Art in the Country.
The sumptuous gardens of Harrington House is the perfect backdrop for the exhibit that will be arranged under a giant marquee. The magical ambience is extended by stretch tents to accommodate the food area, a fully-stocked bar area and the programme of entertainment.
“We’re so excited to have our own celebrity chef in Jackie Cameron on board who has promised a delicious street food menu.”
Art in the Country will be open from 10 am to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday. Entry is R20 per person that includes a guide to the artists on show, while pensioners qualify for a 50% discount and entry is free for children under 18.
Pictured above: Carol Cox has developed a passion for the iconic mistbelt of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. A recent arrival in Hilton, Cox’s art is steeped in a love for nature since her childhood. Nicknamed “nyoni” after her fascination with birds, Cox continues to derive inspiration from feathered creatures and indigenous plants on her hikes through the area’s abundant grasslands and wetlands. While Cox happily explores different mediums, most of her work is either in acrylic or oil.
She hopes her work helps raise awareness about the ecological importance of the natural grassland heritage.