Art, music, food, and community spirit came together at Norscot Manor on July 25 as the Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club hosted the fifth edition of Art @ the Manor, a fundraising event dedicated to preserving the historic community centre.

Read more: Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club

Residents streamed through the venue throughout the day, browsing artwork, supporting local vendors, and enjoying the family-friendly atmosphere while contributing to the upkeep of one of Fourways’ treasured heritage sites.

Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club president Beate Schulte-Brader said the event had exceeded expectations, despite the organisers’ initial concerns. “This is our fifth Art @ the Manor, and it is still dedicated to the upkeep of Norscot Manor. We were very nervous, because it’s the first time we’re doing it at this time of the year, and bringing everything together in one place – the artists, the schools, the vendors, and the community.”

She said the steady stream of visitors throughout the day was a positive sign that the event had been embraced by the community. “It looks like it was a success, because there was a constant flow of people. The vibe was great, the food flowed, and people came from the community to celebrate with us and support the fundraising. That’s all we asked for.”

Beyond showcasing local talent, the event plays an important role in helping restore Norscot Manor, which has served the community for decades.

Beate explained that community service is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus and that restoring the venue is an investment in bringing life back to a space that once offered a wide range of community activities. “Twenty years ago, there were cooking classes, sewing classes, and many other programmes taking place here. Over time, many of those disappeared because the facilities deteriorated.”

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She said the club discovered the extent of the challenges after becoming involved with the property. “The toilets were in shambles, there wasn’t enough lighting, and it was actually scary to come here after dark.”

Since then, Rotary has helped improve the site by repairing lighting and carrying out environmental projects, with further upgrades already planned. “Our next project is to work through a list of maintenance needs, including painting and fixing windows, so that it’s a safe place and life comes back into this community centre.”

The event continues on July 26 with the same line-up of artists and vendors, alongside a slightly different entertainment programme.

Beate encouraged residents not to miss the professionally curated art exhibition, which has grown significantly since the event began. “We’re proud to have 16 artists exhibiting this year, compared to nine last year. These are professional artists who have supported us for five years, and visitors have the opportunity to meet them, talk to them, and experience their work first-hand. It really adds to the atmosphere.”

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