Youths brimming with skills

During the Art Safari on 13 August are, from the left, Jadey Venter, Leraro Gopane, Gabriella Kartzounis and Bonolo Jabari playing the marimba.

Beautiful choir songs, the sounds of happy marimba, and creativity that brought art to life mesmerised attendees at this year’s Art Safari at the Eunice High School.

A spotlight was shone on art when 170 learners showcased some of their art forms at the school on Tuesday, 13 August, celebrating some of the groups that excelled in the past month.

The Eunice marimba band won gold during the International Marimba Festival that was held in Boksburg from 26 to 29 July. They also won a bronze medal.

In the mix category, the band won gold and Reoné Swanepoel was awarded the Best Player award. In the Strictly Classical category, the group won bronze and in the Proudly South African Prestige category, Lerato Gopane was the best player. She was also recognised as the best player in the Battle of the Bands. Another marimba player, Bonolo Jabari, won a special social media award.

In the Vrystaat Kunswedstryd, held on 1 August, the performance band and the elementrix band, managed and coached by Margie Anderson, both received an A++ symbol.

Their next competition is at the National Marimba Festival in George on 27 September.

Art students created art work that came alive in a fashion show. Here are from the left Anastasia van Niekerk with a artwork of Pop Artist Andy Warhol – Soup Cans created by Alexis Schoeman, in the middle is Unathi Songelwa with Poka Dot by Japanese artist Yahoi Kusama created by Bophelo Mofoken and to the righ is Natasha Potgieter with an artwork of Frida Kahlo’s created by her and her twin sister Natalie.Photo: Lientjie Mentz

Also, the Eunice Vitae Cantamus Choir had an excellent year so far, excelling in the ATKV Applous competition in Cape Town on 27 July. They won gold and came second in the Prestige category for girl choirs. They were the only choir from the Free State in the finals for this category, competing againts the Claredon High School for Girls in East London, Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof (Stellenbosch), and Hoërskool Stellenberg (Durbanville).

At the Art Safari it was clear why this choir outperformed so many other school choirs and why they won gold and a standing ovation at the ATKV Applous Regional Finals.

The art students had a wonderful time recreating well known art works that came to life in a fashion parade.

The ensemble consisting of 16 members including learners of the Eunice Primary School joined in the performance in the school library. The ensemble received an A+ and an A++ at the Vrystaatse Kunstefees.

Playing in the ensamble are from the left Amahle Swelankomo, Janelle Moorcroft and Yonga Gxabuza (Eunice Primary School)Photo: Lienjtie Mentz