Bonfires crackled while welcoming hundreds of art enthusiasts to Northmead’s Art Alive Art School’s La Sedicesima Esposizione (16th exhibition).

From July 29 to August 1, budding artists, members of the community and art aficionados gathered to appreciate local talent and marvel at mesmerising works.

Partnering with Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora, in support of Clean Projects, the annual exhibition wowed visitors with visionary brushstrokes.

“We are blown away by the incredible support the event drew,” said Elaine Marx, owner of the school.

“Incredibly skilled and locally produced works adorned the walls of the gallery, drawing appreciative gasps from attendees.

“From their imagination, creators captured moments of beauty, eternally preserving them on canvas, evoking emotions felt deep into the soul of anyone who observed these magnificent works.

Part of the exhibition featured the sale of charity squares donated by local artists. The miniature artworks were sold to the public to raise funds for Clean Projects as the organisation continues its beautification programmes throughout the city.

By 16:15 on July 29, just minutes after the exhibition opened, 34 of the miniature masterpieces had already been sold.

“It is fantastic that our community is not only supporting a local organisation that does so much to uplift our city, but is also supporting local artists,” said Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora president Charles van Rooyen.

“This is a testament to a community that is invested in promoting both our city’s environment and its artists.”

For the first time this year, Sculpted Stories formed part of the exhibition, featuring pottery works from the studio’s students.

Instructor and artist Karen T Vermeulen said that since establishing the studio at the school in February, students developed in leaps and bounds, creating jovial exhibition pieces.

“Their enthusiasm has rekindled my passion for the art form, prompting me to revisit my childhood, finding joy in the playfulness of the art form,” she said.

Proudly pointing out her colourful skull jug, pottery creation, Hanneli van der Merwe said that she discovers another aspect of her creative personality when she’s working with clay.

“You start with a shapeless ball of clay; it is dull and uninspiring,” she said.

“Once you start rolling it, feeling its texture is starts taking shape, becoming anything you want it to be. It is magical; art is magical.”

Nursing tender feet and rearranging the studio to once again welcome students to their easels, Marx thanked those who attended the exhibition for their support.

“We enjoyed sharing our passion with the community and look forward to returning to our spots to create more awe-inspiring works,” she said.

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