Glenwood-based art curator and community arts advocate Ayanda Gumede-Donnell has been nominated for the SA Heroes Awards in the Specialized Care category, recognising her commitment to making art accessible to vulnerable communities.

Through The Art Club Foundation, Gumede-Donnell uses creative expression to promote healing, inclusion and empowerment among young people and people with disabilities.

Her commitment is personal. Raising a daughter with autism and ADHD has deepened her understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable communities and inspired her to create inclusive spaces where everyone can experience art.

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The foundation delivers art workshops, art-focused therapy and educational programmes. It also takes South Africa’s first black female-owned mobile fine art gallery into schools, public spaces and festivals, bringing exhibitions and creative experiences to people beyond traditional gallery settings.

Gumede-Donnell hopes the nomination will raise awareness of the foundation’s work, attract support and help expand its outreach programmes across KZN and beyond.

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