21-24 March 2008
Easter Turnfest
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
22 March 2008 - You can read news of the Kirstenbosch Turnfest at http://dennislaidler.blogspot.com/2008/03/awsa-wcwa-turnfest-2008-day-1.html - we are having great fun
As mentioned in the February Turnaround and Turnings, we are holding an exhibition of quality turnings, in conjunction with a weekend of turning demonstrations, at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden over the Easter weekend, 21 – 24 March, to raise public awareness of turning as an artform. As this is an excellent opportunity to showcase South African turnings, and to expose visitors to Kirstenbosch and other Capetonians and tourists to the art of turning, I call on all turners who can possibly do so, to participate by submitting some of their best works, or by coming along to be part of the action. The success of this event in a prime venue will determine whether this could become an annual event, so we wish to encourage all members to seriously consider making an effort to participate in the exhibition at this prestigious venue.
This year there will be no fee for submitting works for the exhibition, but exhibitors will be responsible for shipping (both ways) and insuring their works. Turnings may be made available for sale (not compulsory), with a 20% commission to defray some of the costs of the exhibition (10% to Kirstenbosch, 10% to AWSA/WCWA).
As we need to receive pieces for the exhibition by Friday 14th March, if you know of any fellow club members or colleagues/family who will be travelling to Cape Town around that time (the Two Oceans Marathon that passes Kirstenbosch draws thousands of visitors to Cape Town) – you could persuade them to bring your pieces to Cape Town, otherwise make use of one of the courier companies to transport your works. Turnings that are not sold will be returned by arrangement with the turner (at their cost). A registration form for pieces is attached, or it can be downloaded from the AWSA site. Graeme Hill (083 252 4642) is coordinating receipt of turnings.
Turnings sent via mail or by courier must reach Gigi by Friday 14th March. The physical delivery address for courier will be to Gigi’s office (Addressed to Gigi Laidler), Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Ave., Newlands, Cape Town. Postal delivery to PO Box 308, Plumstead, 7801. Please advise Gigi when you despatch turnings, so that she knows what to expect. For those in Cape Town, pieces can be hand delivered to the Graeme Hill at the Pinelands Hobbies Club, Nursery Way, Pinelands on Monday 17th, or Wednesday 19th March, from 19:00. A registration form with details for each entry must accompany all turnings. There may be limitations on the number of turnings we can accommodate, so we cannot guarantee that every piece submitted will be exhibited. There will also be a selection panel to screen all items submitted to ensure that only high standard turning will be on display.
THE MAGIC TREE
Another recent development has been that we are able to use some of the wood of the “Magic Tree” – a favourite, much loved old Breede River yellowwood whose canopy reached to the ground, allowing for children to play around ‘inside’ the tree, and clamber on the lower branches. This tree suffered the misfortune of severe damage in a windstorm at the end of 2005, when it split open. Experts were called in for advice on how to save the tree, and so far so good, the magic tree lives on, coppicing from the stems and branches. As part of the marketing strategy, the idea is to turn some of the branches recovered from the tree, allowing members of the public to acquire pieces of the Magic Tree turned during the demonstrations, through making a donation to SANBI’s Outreach Greening programme. Details of the tree can be found on the SANBI website, following links to the PlantzAfrica site, and from there to the site for Podocarpus elongatus.
Any AWSA/WCWA member who is in Cape Town for the Easter Weekend (maybe to participate in the Two Oceans Marathon?), is welcome to be part of the action, so we urge you to help us make a success of the event by participating. Huge numbers of visitors to Kirstenbosch are expected over the weekend, as the route for the marathon goes right past the garden, and there should be a capacity crowd of over 5 000 attending the concert by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on the Sunday, so this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Please contact Gigi or any of the organising committee if you have any questions. Watch this page on the AWSA website for updates.
Gigi Laidler: Tel: +27 (0)21 797 7755; +27 (0)82 485 8399; Fax (to email): 086 618 3113 [Work: +27 21 799 8766]
Committee:
Graeme Hill (083 252 4642), Mike Richards (082 854 8388) Sven Karth (083 650
6275), Gregory Christians (083 494 0725) Frank Maunder (021 976 4296)
Eric Thornton (082 465 4237), Dennis Laidler (082 365 2755)
MEDIA LINKS (Will open in a separate window)
Cape Tape Town and Western Cape Major Events Calendar
Kirstenbosch 'What' On' (Follow the link to 'Kirstenbosch' and then 'Easter Turnfest')
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